Juan Cuadrado, a former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo’s at Juventus, is the target of the Portuguese legend’s new club Al Nassr.
Having significantly raised the club’s global profile with their £175m-a-year capture of the 37-year-old superstar, Al Nassr are reportedly keen to capitalise on the buzz by recruiting more high-profile players from Europe’s top leagues in January.
Juventus full-back Cuadrado, who played alongside Ronaldo in Turin between 2018 and 2021, is believed to be high on the Saudi giants’ wishlist, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Will Cuadrado Join Ronaldo At Al Nassr?
According to AS, Al Nassr are preparing to offer a lucrative deal in a bid to lure the 34-year-old to the Saudi Pro League, and thus fend off interest from Serie A giants Inter Milan.
Cuadrado has played 20 matches across all competitions for Juventus so far this season, contributing four assists from defence.
The attacking wing-back has won five Serie A titles during his time in Italy as well as four Coppa Italia trophies.
Ronaldo was unveiled as Al Nassr’s new superstar at Mrsool Park on Tuesday as thousands of fans gathered to welcome the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star to Saudi Arabia.
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During a press conference ahead of his unveiling, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said: ‘I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life, in football. As you mentioned before, in Europe my work, it’s done. I won everything.
‘I played the most important clubs in Europe and for me now, it’s a new challenge.’
Fans gained an insight into Ronaldo’s relationship with Cuadrado during Amazon Prime’s All or Nothing documentary in 2021.
At half-time during Juventus’ Champions League defeat against Porto in 2020-21, Ronaldo exploded in the dressing, demanding more from his team-mates.
Cuadrado, standing up for his colleagues, told Ronaldo in response: ‘Calm down, you need to set the example for everyone too.’
It is likely the dressing room altercation would be water under the bridge should the Colombian team up with the Portuguese hitman in Saudi Arabia.
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