Saudi Pro League’s game-changing transfer decision: Cristiano Ronaldo plans to take advantage

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 Jul 2025 01:04 CDT
• 4 min read

News

The Saudi Pro League is set to shake up the summer transfer market after making a game-changing decision that could revolutionise the window.

According to Khaled Al-Shanif, the host of the Saudi show ‘Our League is Different’, a fundamental rule tweak will make clubs in the Pro League even more powerful in the transfer market.

The idea is that the limit on foreign players will be loosened, allowing teams in the division to sign even more top talents from abroad.

Currently, clubs are allowed to field up to eight non-Asian players during matches, plus two players under the age of 23. Now it is claimed that as many as 10 foreign players will be allowed in Saudi Pro League matches, but without an age limit.

If this rule change is indeed imposed, it will open the door for more established stars to sign for the top clubs in the division. Al-Ahli already has nine foreign players, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have seven and big-spending new-boys Neom, who have signed the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Said Benrahma this summer, have six.

The Saudi Pro League transfer window only opens on 20 July, and with it set to close on 10 September, there is the possibility of late mayhem among Europe’s biggest leagues.

Ronaldo wants €100m star to make Saudi move

Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo already seems to be eyeing up the possibility of a major new signing under this rule change.

According to Sport, the 40-year-old has instructed his side to make a move for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.

The Colombia international has long been of interest to Barcelona, but the Catalan club’s financial position, in conjunction with the Reds’ big asking price, will make a transfer difficult.

Compared

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (C)

Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (C)

Al-Nassr

VS

Luis Díaz

F (CL), M (L)

Liverpool

Luis Díaz

F (CL), M (L)

Liverpool

€10.4M	ETV	€50.4M
€9.4M - €11.5M	ETV Range	€45.3M - €55.4M
40 years old (05 Feb, 1985)	Age	28 years old (13 Jan, 1997)
Portugal	Nationality	Colombia

Now the Saudi Pro League giants are preparing to profit, with Ronaldo leading the charge.

When he signed a new deal with Al-Nassr, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend was given a stake in the club and handed special privileges that make him influential on a sporting level. It appears he is using these to drive a deal for Luis Diaz.

While the winger wants a move to Barcelona, Al-Nassr and Ronaldo have positioned themselves to pay the €100 million transfer fee that Liverpool are demanding.

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