Cristiano Ronaldo has seen his Al Nassr squad strengthened considerably in comparison with final season, and the 2025 summer time switch window stays open with extra strikes nonetheless in play. Recent experiences counsel the Saudi aspect is now focusing on a Lionel Messi teammate and Argentina World Cup winner.
After an underwhelming 2024-25 marketing campaign, Ronaldo has taken on an more and more influential position in Al Nassr’s selections. With a few of his confidants shifting into government positions, the Portuguese star performed a reported position within the arrivals of latest head coach Jorge Jesus and gamers reminiscent of Joao Felix, Iñigo Martinez, and Kingsley Coman. Now, one other title has been added to the shortlist.
In accordance with Ben Jacobs, Al Nassr are exploring a transfer for Exequiel Palacios. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder faces an unsure future following the arrival of Erik ten Hag as head coach, and Ronaldo’s membership is reportedly conscious of the circumstances required to strike a deal.
Palacios was a part of the Argentina squads alongside Messi that received back-to-back Copa Américas and the 2022 World Cup. Since becoming a member of Leverkusen in 2020, he additionally turned the primary Argentine to win one in every of Europe’s high 5 leagues unbeaten, lifting the Bundesliga title throughout the membership’s historic 2023-24 season.
Exequiel Palacios of Bayer 04 Leverkusen runs with the ball throughout the pre-season pleasant match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Pisa SC at BayArena on August 05, 2025 in Leverkusen, Germany.
In Leverkusen’s final two matches — a preseason loss to Chelsea (2-0) and a DFB-Pokal first-round win over SG Sonnenhof Großaspach (4-0) — Ten Hag began Aleix García and Robert Andrich in midfield, whereas Palacios was disregarded of the squad solely. Along with his future unresolved and fewer than two weeks earlier than the switch window closes, the Argentine’s state of affairs is one to observe heading into deadline day.
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Al Nassr face competitors for Palacios
After strengthening each assault and protection, Al Nassr are actually targeted on bolstering the midfield alongside Marcelo Brozović with one other Europe-tested participant. Nevertheless, Palacios can also be drawing robust curiosity from Al Ahli, who’ve already opened talks with the participant’s camp.
Sky Sports activities’ Sacha Tavolieri experiences that Leverkusen are demanding a charge of €45 million to half methods with the midfielder. With one other Saudi Professional League rival within the combine and a major switch charge on the desk, Al Nassr face main obstacles of their bid so as to add Palacios to Ronaldo’s supporting solid.
