Mohamed Salah to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr? Head coach says he ‘definitely wants’ him

Al-Nassr are exploring a move to bring Mohamed Salah to Saudi Arabia, with the aim of pairing the Liverpool forward alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in what would be one of the most high-profile attacking combinations in the game. The interest is not speculative. According to Saudi outlet Okaz, head coach Jorge Jesus has given his approval for the club to pursue Salah in the upcoming summer window. The move comes at a time when Salah, Liverpool’s Egyptian forward and one of the Premier League’s most consistent scorers over the past decade, has already indicated he will leave Anfield after the 2025–26 season. Any deal, however, depends on several moving parts, including Jesus’ own contract situation, competition from other Saudi clubs, and Salah’s final decision on his next destination.

Jorge Jesus’ stance and internal conditions

Sources cited by Okaz indicate that Jesus “definitely wants” Salah at the club and is open to building his attack around the Egyptian forward alongside Ronaldo. The Portuguese coach sees Salah as a direct fit into his system, both tactically and in terms of profile. There is, however, a condition attached. Negotiations are ongoing between Al-Nassr’s management and Jesus over a contract extension, and clarity on his future is required before the club moves forward with major transfer decisions.

Until that is resolved, the deal remains in a holding pattern.

Competition, club position and Salah’s call

Even with the manager’s backing, the transfer is not straightforward. Okaz reports that Al-Nassr’s hierarchy still need to make a final decision on the financial and sporting scope of the deal, particularly with interest expected from other Saudi Pro League sides. Salah’s own position will also be decisive. He is expected to have multiple offers, and the choice of club, both in terms of project and role, remains open.

Former professional footballer Paul-Jose M’Poku suggested a move to Saudi Arabia is likely, framing it as something that has been anticipated for years given Mohamed Salah’s standing in the region. Salah has long been seen as a cultural bridge within the Middle Eastern football landscape, a figure whose influence extends beyond the pitch, and a return closer to that audience has been anticpated by fans and commentators alike.Speaking to GOAL, M’Poku said: “I think Mo Salah will probably go to Saudi. I don't know if it's Al-Nassr, but yeah, he will go. But now also the PIF, they're trying to sell the club. So if the owner comes and says, I want to buy Al-Nassr, and this owner buys players, it will be okay.”

Salah’s Liverpool chapter and current situation

Salah, Liverpool’s Egyptian forward who has spent nine seasons at the club, is third on their all-time scoring list and has won multiple major honours, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. His decision to leave marks the end of one of the most productive spells in the club’s modern history. This season, he has made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists. His campaign, however, has been cut short by a hamstring injury sustained in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, with Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan indicating that his availability for the remainder of the season is unlikely.

Al-Nassr’s squad and long-term ambition

Al-Nassr’s interest in Salah sits within a broader push to reassert themselves domestically.

The club have not won the Saudi Pro League title since 2019 and have been competing against the recent dominance of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad. Their current squad already includes a number of high-profile players: Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, French winger Kingsley Coman, former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, Portuguese attacker Joao Felix, and Spanish defender Inigo Martinez, who won La Liga with Barcelona in 2025. Adding Salah to that group, alongside Ronaldo, would represent a clear statement of intent, both on the pitch and commercially, as the club looks to build a side capable of reclaiming the league title.

What the move would represent

The prospect of Salah and Ronaldo playing together brings together two of the most recognisable forwards of their generation, one still central to Portugal’s national team setup, the other a defining figure in Liverpool’s recent history. For Al-Nassr, the deal depends on internal clarity, competition across the league, and the player’s own decision. For now, the interest is confirmed, the approval is in place, and the next step rests on how those pieces come together in the coming months.