Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in financial trouble? Report claims Saudi giants face 800 million riyal debt, transfers frozen

Cristiano Ronaldo’s club Al Nassr is reportedly facing one of its biggest off-field challenges in recent years. According to reports from Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Pro League giants are battling a severe financial crisis that has pushed their reported debt beyond 800 million Saudi riyals, forcing the club to put its transfer business on hold.

The development has sparked widespread discussion among football fans, especially as Al Nassr has remained unusually inactive during the ongoing summer transfer window despite being linked with several high-profile players.

Transfer activity reportedly comes to a standstill

According to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Al Nassr has not completed a single signing this summer because of its financial situation. The report claims that although the club had reached an agreement with Real Mallorca midfielder Samu Costa, the transfer has not been finalised.

The financial uncertainty has also reportedly delayed a new contract for winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb, highlighting the wider impact of the club’s economic challenges.

Reports suggest that the growing debt stems from financial decisions made during the previous season, prompting the club’s owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), to intervene with a long-term recovery strategy.

PIF introduces recovery plan

As per the report, PIF has introduced a three-phase plan designed to restore Al Nassr’s financial stability while protecting the club’s sporting ambitions and commercial value.

The first step reportedly restricts the financial powers of the club’s current management. Under this arrangement, Al Nassr will only be able to complete new signings if it generates sufficient funds through its own revenue streams, explaining why transfer activity has slowed despite identifying several targets.

ALSO READ : ‘I’m Going to Play Against Messi… I Can Retire’: Switzerland Star’s Viral Remark Adds Extra Buzz to Argentina World Cup Clash

The second phase focuses on improving the club’s long-term financial health. External financial, legal, and commercial consultancy firms are expected to be appointed to help increase commercial income, reduce operational costs, and create a structured roadmap for sustainable growth.

Club sale also under discussion

One of the most notable aspects of the reported recovery strategy is the possibility of a change in ownership.

According to Arriyadiyah, PIF has already received two serious offers from investors interested in acquiring Al Nassr. However, the preferred option is reportedly a partial sale rather than a complete takeover, allowing the fund to retain involvement while attracting fresh investment.

The report adds that supporters are eager to see new investment arrive quickly, particularly after rivals Al Hilal underwent ownership changes earlier this year through a deal involving Kingdom Holding Company, owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.

No official confirmation from Al Nassr

Despite the widespread reports, Al Nassr has not officially commented on the club’s reported financial position or the claims regarding its debt and transfer restrictions.

The speculation has nevertheless generated significant attention because of the club’s global profile following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose signing in late 2022 transformed Al Nassr into one of the most followed clubs in world football.

For now, fans will be watching closely to see whether the Saudi club can resolve its financial issues and return to the transfer market before the window closes.