Cristiano Ronaldo pushes for transfer control at Al Nassr and personally drives Bruno Fernandes talks

Cristiano Ronaldo has moved to tighten his grip on Al Nassr’s sporting project by pushing for full control over the club’s transfer strategy and personally driving an approach for Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese forward has laid out what sources describe as a clear roadmap for the Saudi Pro League side, centred on handing sweeping authority over recruitment to the club’s sporting structure rather than its boardroom.

Reports indicate Ronaldo is pressing Al Nassr’s hierarchy to grant the sporting department, led by Simo as sporting director and Semedo as chief executive, complete independence in all transfer dealings, without interference from senior administrators that could slow or compromise squad-building plans for next season.

Ronaldo, captain of Portugal’s national team, is understood to be insistent that neither Simo nor Semedo face any administrative obstacles in their work. The 39-year-old wants both men to have full autonomy in identifying targets and shaping a squad he believes must be capable of competing for honours both domestically and across Asia.

Clear framework for summer transfer window

This demand is closely tied to Al Nassr’s approach to the current summer window, with Ronaldo pushing for every decision on player signings and departures to be taken strictly on technical and tactical grounds.

The forward’s view is that only a clearly defined sporting vision, free from internal political or administrative constraints, can protect the club’s ambitions for the coming campaign and ensure a coherent recruitment strategy.

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022, is said to see a streamlined and empowered football department as essential if the club is to capitalise on the momentum generated by the influx of high-profile players into the Saudi Pro League.

Al Nassr eye Bruno Fernandes move

In parallel with these internal changes, a strong proposal has emerged within Al Nassr’s hierarchy to open formal lines of communication with Bruno Fernandes.

Club officials are considering making initial contact with the Portugal international to establish his financial expectations as a first step towards potential negotiations to sign the Manchester United captain.

The idea under discussion is to sound out Fernandes’ salary and contract requirements before deciding whether to advance talks over a move to Riyadh.

Ronaldo is playing a central role in this pursuit, undertaking what have been described as intensive efforts to convince his compatriot of the merits of joining the Saudi Pro League.

He is looking to exploit the current standstill in discussions over Fernandes’ contract renewal at Old Trafford, with Al Nassr aiming to tempt the playmaker during the ongoing transfer window.

Creative boost alongside Ronaldo

Should Al Nassr succeed in bringing Fernandes to the club, the move would be designed to strengthen the team’s attacking options and inject additional creativity into their playmaking department.

The plan would be for Fernandes to operate as a key creative force in midfield, complementing Ronaldo in the final third and adding variety and imagination to Al Nassr’s attacking structure.

For now, the club’s focus remains twofold: reshaping its internal decision-making process to give Simo and Semedo full control over recruitment, and exploring the possibility of a marquee signing in Fernandes – with Ronaldo at the heart of both initiatives.