According to Aawsat, an investment consortium led by a financial company and involving Ronaldo has officially expressed interest in acquiring a 70% stake in Al Nassr.
Sources close to Aawsat revealed that an investment consortium has officially expressed interest in acquiring a 70% ownership stake in Saudi club Al Nassr. Meanwhile, another consortium is also being formed and is exploring entering the bidding process for the club, bringing the number of groups interested in acquiring this investment stake to three.
Sources say that an investment fund managed by a prominent financial company in the Saudi stock market has officially expressed interest in acquiring the shares allocated to new investors. Aawsat is not currently disclosing the name of this company.
Sources explained that the consortium includes several businessmen and investors, including Mohammed Al-Khuraiji, owner of Spanish club Almería and a businessman, as well as other investors. Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is also one of the partners in this investment alliance, which has expressed interest in acquiring Al Nassr.
Sources added that if the alliance successfully secures the shares reserved for new investors, the consortium's leader plans to invite Ibrahim Al-Muhidib, former president of Al Nassr, to serve as the club's president and join the investment project.
This echoes Aawsat's report last Sunday, which stated that former Al Nassr president Al-Muhidib was exploring the acquisition of the club through an investment fund comprising four key figures, including one former club president. The new development is that the consortium led by the financial company has formally expressed its interest to the relevant parties.
The same source said that a third consortium is also being prepared, led by a prominent Al Nassr figure. This individual ran for club president two years ago but later withdrew from the election. The project relies on the support of a well-known family of Al Nassr supporters, including his father, who has a historic presence and broad influence within the club. This group is currently exploring the establishment of an independent investment fund, with the aim of competing for and acquiring shares when the club's investment shares are formally launched in the future.
These actions reflect Al Nassr's growing appeal from an investment perspective. Given its large fan base and commercial and marketing value both within and outside Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr is considered one of the most attractive Saudi clubs for investors.
Current information indicates that if the share sale process proceeds according to the expected timetable and the regulatory requirements for the sale and acquisition are met, Al Nassr is expected to become the first major club after Al Hilal in which the Public Investment Fund divests its controlling stake. Under the anticipated acquisition structure, 70% of the club's ownership will be transferred to the successful bidder, with the remaining 30% still held by the Public Investment Fund.
Previously, Al Hilal became the first of the four major Saudi clubs in which the Public Investment Fund divested its controlling stake. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, acquired 70% ownership of the club for 840 million riyals, valuing the club company’s total capital at 1.4 billion riyals.
Sources say that competition among parties interested in acquiring Al Nassr may intensify in the coming months. Currently, three consortia are monitoring the situation: one has formally expressed interest, Ibrahim Al-Muhidib's consortium is still exploring investment options, and the third remains in the arrangement and preparation stage, awaiting any formal launch of the club's investment shares.