After their initial £20m bid for Tottenham's Emerson Royal was rebuffed, Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Nassr is now reportedly setting their sights on Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
According to the Telegraph, this move could see Wan-Bissaka join forces with global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, as Al-Nassr continues to strengthen their squad with high-profile signings.
United's Stance: Protecting Investments
Manchester United, keen to protect their investment, have already activated an extension clause in Wan-Bissaka's contract. This strategic move prevents him from leaving on the cheap. In a twist of transfer market strategy, there's chatter about United potentially leveraging Wan-Bissaka in a deal to lower the price tag for Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, a prime target for the Red Devils. Al-Nassr, therefore, faces a race against time to secure Wan-Bissaka's services.
The Competition Heats Up: European Clubs in the Mix
Wan-Bissaka's limited playtime this season hasn't gone unnoticed, drawing eyes from several European clubs. Inter Milan, in particular, showed interest, considering a swap with Denzel Dumfries. Despite this, there's been no significant movement in prying Wan-Bissaka away from Old Trafford during this transfer window.
Al-Nassr's challenge is compounded by the Saudi Pro League's foreign player cap, necessitating the deregistration of a current overseas player to accommodate Wan-Bissaka. With the European transfer window closing in less than 10 days, Al-Nassr, having already made waves with signings like Ronaldo, Mane, and Laporte, needs to act swiftly to add another star to their already glittering lineup.