"Can benefit from his Champions League expertise" - Fans urge PL club to sign Cristiano Ronaldo amid rumors of Al-Nassr exit
Football fans are urging Newcastle United to sign Cristiano Ronaldo amid reports suggesting he wants to leave Al Nassr.
Ronaldo, 38, only arrived in Saudi Arabia in January after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Manchester United last November. The Portuguese icon left Europe for the first time in his club career to take on a new challenge in the Middle East.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has turned back the years with captivating performances. He has scored 13 goals in 17 games across competitions for Al Nassr.
However, it appears Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer happy with life in Saudi. Reports claim that he is eyeing a return to Europe but will need to pay compensation to secure an exit just five months into his two-year deal at Mrsool Park.
Ronaldo claimed that his story in Europe was done when he headed to Al Nassr in January. However, the Portuguese icon is heralded by many as the 'King of the Champions League'. He has won the competition five times and is the tournament's all-time top scorer with 140 goals.
It is, for this reason, that fans are urging Newcastle to pursue Ronaldo should he leave the Saudi Pro League. The Magpies have sealed qualification for Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 2002-03. Eddie Howe has overseen a phenomenal campaign, with his side now regarded as one of English football's top clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo may be enticed by such a move to St James' Park and fans are pulling for it. One fan alluded to his history in the Champions League, tweeting:
"(Newcastle) can benefit from his champions league expertise."
Here's how Twitter reacted to the question of where Ronaldo heads next if he leaves Al Nassr:
If Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Saudi Arabia, which club in Europe should sign him? 
π¨ If Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Saudi Arabia, which club in Europe should sign him? πΈπ¦ https://t.co/ohkxgyIOR5
@DeadlineDayLive Newcastle already has a back door for him to come play in the ucl.
@DeadlineDayLive Newcastle United. Itβs been a rumor their owner has some connection with current Ronaldoβs club and Newcastle was able to qualify for the champion league.
@DeadlineDayLive @FCBTeejay If Ronaldo leaves Saudi, he will sign for Newcastle
@DeadlineDayLive It looks more likely Newcastle United is signing him
@DeadlineDayLive He's going to Newcastle. Please sign him @NUFC π₯Ί
@DeadlineDayLive @NUFC can benefit from his champions league expertise
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe played down a potential move for Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite fans clamoring for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to European football with Newcastle it appears that might not be on Howe's agenda. The Magpies coach was asked about speculation linking his side with a move for the Portuguese icon in early May. He responded by detailing the profile of players that he wants to bring to St James' Park (via The Sun):
"A lot of the names aren't accurate. We need to recruit wisely. We want to discover them before they explode onto the world stage. We need to go underneath, find them young and develop them. I know the direction."
Ronaldo would bring an abundance of experience with him if he were to join the Tyneside outfit. However, Newcastle have shown in previous transfer windows that they aren't going to just chase a star name and want to take their time in building their squad.