SPL giants set to rival Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for Real Madrid star, prepared to offer staggering €12-13M salary: Reports
Al-Ittihad have reportedly joined Al-Nassr in the race to sign Antonio Rudiger from Cristiano Ronaldo's former club Real Madrid. The Saudi Pro League giants are prepared to offer the German defender a mouthwatering salary.
El Chiringuito reports that Nadi Al-Sha'ab are interested in signing Rudiger, who has two years left on his contract. They are willing to hand the 31-year-old a salary of around €12-13 million per season.
Rudiger was integral to Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid side, who won the UEFA Champions League and La Liga title last season. The German defender was one of Los Blancos' few centre-backs who remained fit for most of the campaign. He made 48 appearances across competitions, helping his side keep 22 clean sheets.
Al-Ittihad's interest in Rudiger comes amid Al-Nassr's desire to bring the former Chelsea star to Al-Awwal Park. They are reportedly proposing a mega contract that would make him the highest-paid defender in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest-paid player in the world when he joined Al-Alami in January 2023. Several high-profile European stars, including Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic, have joined the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in Saudi Arabia.
Rudiger joined Real Madrid as a free agent in July 2022 after leaving Chelsea. He's been a mainstay in Ancelotti's side since then, appearing 101 times at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Antonio Rudiger ranked Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid's greatest-ever player
Rudiger could join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and become a teammate of the legendary forward for the first time in his career. They have squared off against one another on four occasions for club and country.
The German defender is a fan of Ronaldo, 39, and named him Real Madrid's all-time greatest player in a top-five ranking. He chose Los Blancos' all-time top scorer in first place over the likes of Raul and Zinedine Zidane.
Cristiano Ronaldo dominated Spanish football during his spell at the Bernabeu. He scored 450 goals and 131 assists in 438 games and won 17 major trophies with Los Merengues.
The Portuguese icon became the first player in history win five UEFA Champions League trophies while at Madrid. He won the La Liga Golden Boot on three occasions and is still firing goals in for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo's Al-Alami have struggled for trophy success despite his arrival. Rudiger's potential signing could help Luis Castro's men try to bring silverware to Al-Awwal Park.