30 June 2023 , 23:54
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Cristiano Ronaldo won't be lining up with Hakim Ziyech next season but could be joined in Saudi Arabia by one of his international teammates.
Amid an exodus of players to the Middle East this summer, Chelsea midfielder Ziyech was set to sign for Al Nassr in a deal worth £17 million. But the move was scuppered at the 11th hour when a routine medical unveiled an ongoing knee problem, leaving the Moroccan star in limbo as he looks to rebuild his club career.
His former teammates N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly has already secured their own moves to the Middle East, along with Wolves star Ruben Neves. But Al Nassr will now turn their attention to another Premier League player, a development likely to please their marquee player.
CBS Sports have reported that Bernardo Silva is now the primary target for the 2022/23 league runners up. The Public Investment Fund are set to lead negotiations, with the presence of Ronaldo to be used as a major carrot.
The pair have been long term teammates with Portugal, and both started the recent 1-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win in Iceland. And at 28, the playmaker is still arguably in the prime of his career and would represent a huge coup for the game in Saudi.
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Silva has spent six seasons in Manchester and played a pivotal role in their treble last season under Pep Guardiola. In the Champions League semi final second leg against Real Madrid, he struck twice in the first half to set up a 4-0 win, and currently has 55 goals and 306 appearances to his name for the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo could link up at club level with Bernardo Silva (AFP via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Is the Saudi Pro League a threat to European football? Comment below.
Guardiola however, is likely to be reluctant to sanction any move away, with club captain Ilkay Gundogan having already joined Barcelona on a free transfer. And having missed out on Declan Rice, the 82-cap international is likely to play another leading role in the next campaign if he stays at the Etihad.
Indeed, Sky pundit Jamie Carragher recently reacted to Silva being linked to Saudi by calling on Premier League bosses to take action and stop potential big money moves. The star's current contract with City runs until the summer of 2025.
"Bernardo Silva is in his peak and has been one of the best players in Europe for the last five years!" Carragher tweeted. "I wasn’t worried about the Saudi League taking players in their 30s, a touch worried with players below the elite (Neves) but if this happens it feels like a game changer."