Marcelo Brozovic may soon line up against Cristiano Ronaldo and his former side, as Al Ahli is said to be eyeing a move for the ex-Al Nassr midfielder before the Saudi transfer window shuts.
Sami Al Qadi, a Saudi Pro League insider, notes that Brozovic is on Al Ahli’s shortlist as they seek to bolster their midfield before the deadline—a surprising development for a player who spent three seasons playing alongside Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
Brozovic departed Al Nassr as a free agent in July, ending a stint that began in 2023 when he joined from Inter Milan for an initial fee of roughly €18 million. His exit followed a reported approach from city rivals Al Hilal, who allegedly offered a salary double his Al Nassr wages—an offer that ultimately fell through.
Now, with the Saudi transfer window still open, Brozovic remains unattached, and Al Ahli’s interest hints he may stay in the kingdom instead of heading back to Europe. A transfer to Al Ahli would pit him against Cristiano Ronaldo whenever the two Saudi powerhouses meet in league competition.
Marcelo Brozovic during his time with Al Nassr. (Getty Images)
Al Nassr’s own transfer window has been a struggle
While Brozovic searches for a new club, his former side has endured a disappointing summer in the transfer market. Al Nassr added only one player—midfielder Samu Costa, who arrived from Real Mallorca for a reported fee of about $25.6 million—a signing that reportedly exhausted the club’s entire recruitment budget for the window.
The club managed to finalize the Costa deal only after obtaining its Financial Compliance Certificate from the league, a prerequisite that had delayed registrations while Al Nassr resolved its outstanding financial obligations under PIF supervision.
Journalists Nawaf Oga and Haitam El Imani report that Al Nassr have effectively stepped away from the transfer market, with no additional inbound signings anticipated before the window closes.
Plans to sign a foreign replacement for winger Wesley—who was sent on loan to Cruzeiro—have been cancelled outright, with the player’s agents told that negotiations are permanently over, leaving manager Ange Postecoglou to rely on the current squad for the remainder of the season.