Al-Nassr’s former spokesman spent his Tuesday radio appearance telling listeners there is no takeover, no Ronaldo investment and no SR800 million debt.

Saud Al-Sarami told the “Malaeb” programme on Al-Arabiya FM that reports of a 20% stake for Cristiano Ronaldo were “completely ruled out” and claimed the figure quoted for the club’s debts was fiction.

“He will not be an investor in Al-Nassr club, whether with 20% or even 1%,” Al-Sarami said.

“There is nothing true about what is being talked about, especially regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, as he does not want to be an owner of any club.”

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RedBird’s $267m approach

The denial lands on top of a run of reports linking RedBird Capital Partners to a takeover of the Riyadh club. Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah broke the outline of a possible 70% sale for close to SR1 billion ($267 million), with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) said to be weighing offers for its full ownership of the club.

RedBird, the US firm that bought AC Milan in 2022 under Gerry Cardinale, has reportedly held at least two meetings with PIF over the Al-Nassr deal. The Saudi Media Company and businessman Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib have also been named as potential investors.

Ronaldo’s name sits at the centre of the story because of a reported clause in his contract granting him first option on a 20% stake if the club is opened up to private investment.

$213m debt or no debt at all?

The disagreement runs down to the numbers. Several Saudi outlets put the club’s debt at SR800 million, roughly $213 million, with PIF said to be planning to clear it through sponsorship and commercial partnerships rather than asset sales.

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Al-Sarami, speaking on the same programme, called the figure baseless.

“The debt worth 800 million riyals that is being talked about does not exist in the first place,” he said. “Al-Nassr owes no money.”

Several first-team players received only part of their June salaries, according to Goal’s Saudi edition in July, with the club working through outstanding payments and recruitment paused. A replacement for Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, identified as a priority for central midfield, remains unsigned.

Postecoglou’s four-front season

That is the squad Ange Postecoglou inherited when he was appointed head coach in July on a two-year contract, with Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup, Saudi Super Cup and AFC Champions League Elite commitments to balance.

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Nothing has been signed on the ownership side either. Multiple reports describe the RedBird negotiations as being at an early stage, and a source close to PIF has cautioned against assuming a deal will close. Al-Sarami’s own forecast was blunter.

“The news says the negotiations are still in their early stages, and I believe they will end at that stage,” he said.

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