Football News : Al-Hilal president confirms Cristiano Ronaldo talks

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-president Hilal's discussed a potential summer transfer to the Middle East, according to the head of the Saudi Arabian team, Ronaldo the striker for Manchester United is likely to make a switch next year.

After the Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League last season and missed out on the Champions League, there were strong rumours that Ronaldo would leave Old Trafford. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner allegedly turned down the chance to walk away from Manchester United

In order to join with teams like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Sporting Lisbon. Ronaldo might move to Saudi Arabia, where there are reportedly multiple clubs interested in signing the legendary Portuguese player.

One of those clubs was Al-Hilal, an 18-time champion of the top division, and president Fahad ben Nafel has acknowledged that talks with Ronaldo's agents took place over the summer.

"Yes, we negotiated with Ronaldo,"

Ben Nafel told the Thamanya YouTube channel.

"The problem was not in the money or the principle, Al-Hilal is able to bring in the stars of the world, but it was in the decision of the Sports Arbitration Center that prevented us from registering the players."

"We did not stop negotiating with the players despite the decision to ban, but we were delaying entering the final stage of the negotiations until the ban was lifted."

Yasser Al-Miseha, the head of the Saudi Arabian FA, stated earlier this summer that he would "love" to seeCristiano Ronaldo finish his club career with the Saudi Pro League.

"We would love to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the Saudi League," Al-Miseha told The Athletic.

"It would bring a huge positive feedback and it would be big news for everyone. I'm sure everyone knows the achievements and records of Cristiano Ronaldo, but also as a player who is a great role model."

"I think, 'Why not?'. I'm sure it would be a very expensive deal, of course, but we can see our clubs getting higher revenues in the past couple of years."

"We have already see some big players who used to play in the Premier League come to the Saudi League. I like Cristiano Ronaldo as a player and I would like to see him play in Saudi Arabia."

Ronaldo's Old Trafford contract expires in less than a year, but it's believed that United has the option to extend it by another year until the summer of 2024.

United is rumoured to be eyeing a possible raid for Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Harry Kane should the 37-year-old leave the Red Devils in 2023.

Should United decide to split ways with Ronaldo, players like Goncalo Ramos of Benfica, Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven, and Victor Osimhen of Napoli have also been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

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