08 February 2023 , 08:47
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Al-Nassr are prepared to follow up the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo by moving for World Cup winner Sergio Busquets.
Portugal international Ronaldo was unveiled by the Saudi Pro League side in January, having joined after his contract with Manchester United was terminated by mutual agreement. He scored his first goal for his new club at the third time of asking, having put pen to paper on a deal worth a reported £173m per year.
Barcelona midfielder Busquets would be another coup if Al-Nassr can convince him to move to Riyadh, and would finally line up on the same side as Ronaldo after being on opposite teams in Clasico match-ups when the forward was at Real Madrid. The 2010 World Cup winner has spent his entire career with the Catalan club, but is weighing up options with his contract set to expire in the summer.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Al-Nassr are prepared to offer Busquets a two-year deal which would see the Spanish international earn £16m per year. If he opts to join the Saudi club, he could end up lining up with Ronaldo, Anderson Talisca and Luiz Gustavo in a team bolstered by foreign imports.
A move is not guaranteed, despite the financial might of Ronaldo's club. Inter Miami have also been linked with a swoop, while the same report suggests Barcelona boss Xavi - a former team-mate of Busquets for club and country during his own playing days - still holds out hope that his friend will sign an extension.
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In addition to the bumper contract, Al-Nassr could give Busquets the opportunity to play in the Asian Champions League. Rudi Garcia's team sits top of the league at the midway point in the season, and the champions will go straight into the group stage for the continental competition.
Can you see Busquets at Al-Nassr? Have your say in the comments section
Ronaldo and Busquets have been rivals for club and country (AFP/Getty Images)“Busi knows how much consideration is given to him, he is an institution for the club and for the members," Barca director of football Mateu Alemany is reported to have said. "[His] contract is ending but it is a circumstance that he will assess.
Alemany said he will be "delighted" if the player renews, and is prepared to wait for Busquets to make a decision on his future. "Between Xavi and him they will make that decision when they consider it and we will support him, and if he stays, fantastic”.
Busquets has played more than 700 senior career games for Barcelona after coming through their La Masia academy, and also has 143 caps for Spain. He went toe-to-toe with Ronaldo during the forward's time at Real Madrid, was part of the team which beat Ronaldo's Man Utd in the 2009 Champions League final, and locked horns when Spain faced Portugal at the 2010 and 2018 World Cups.