Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad Compete for Liverpool Star Virgil van Dijk
Cristiano Ronaldo’s team Al-Nassr have reportedly started negotiations to sign Liverpool’s star defender Virgil van Dijk.
According to @ByanNassr on X (formerly Twitter), Al-Nassr was the first to approach van Dijk and the Dutch international has shown interest.
Van Dijk who recently turned 33 could be looking for a new challenge as his contract with Liverpool ends next June. If he joins Al-Nassr this summer he would be a key player alongside Aymeric Laporte in that team.
Al-Ittihad Joins the Race for Virgil van Dijk
Al-Ittihad have also entered the race to sign van Dijk making the competition for his signature more intense.
Since joining Liverpool from Southampton for £75 million in 2018 van Dijk has made 270 appearances and helped the team win eight trophies scoring 23 goals. The presence of multiple suitors underscores his value on the pitch.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr Seeks Foreign Referees for Crucial Saudi Super Cup Clash
What did Former Liverpool Striker say on the rise of Saudi Pro League?
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore commented on the rise of the Saudi Pro League saying,
“The Saudis will continue to build it up, but I just think it’s all about location and the cultural aspect. They will always get tournaments – like Qatar had the World Cup and Dubai gets the tennis – but people still want to go to Wimbledon, people still want to go to an Olympics in Paris, people still want to go to Wembley Stadium for that football experience or to watch Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.”
On Ronaldo he further added saying:
“It’s like the [Major League Soccer] MLS and the A-League in Australia was for two or three years, and it’s a bit of a top up for the pension. No disrespect to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose 35 goals is a remarkable achievement even if he was doing that at his age in Sunday league football, but I can’t see a time where European footballers head to Saudi Arabia to give the best years of their life.”
Ronaldo now 39 set a record in the Saudi Pro League last season with 35 goals in 31 matches.
Since joining Al-Nassr on a free transfer in January 2023 he has scored 58 goals in 64 appearances showing his enduring talent and impact on the league.
Also Read: Saudi Pro League top scorers : Where’s Cristiano Ronaldo stands in Golden Boot race