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Cristiano Ronaldo linked with return to Europe after growing unhappy with Al Nassr as former Liverpool star has talks with Celtic - Paper Round
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Published 03/02/2026 at 22:53 GMT
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Cristiano Ronaldo may leave Al Nassr and move to Europe or MLS, while Celtic have expressed an interest in the former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamblerain. Elsewhere, N'Golo Kante might be able to move to Fenerbahce in the summer and Harvey Elliott is not considering a move to the United States despite his difficulties on loan with Aston Villa from Liverpool.
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Ronald could leave Al Nassr
Reports in Portugal suggest that Cristiano Ronaldo could move to Europe or MLS after growing unsettled at Al Nassr.
The 40-year-old is believed to have a ÂŁ43 million release clause and he is unhappy at how his current club is being run.
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The Daily Mail explains: "Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly considering leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in the summer, with a return to Europe or a move to the MLS considered potential options.
"The 40-year-old, who, on a contract worth ÂŁ488,000 per day, is the highest-paid footballer in history, began a strike earlier this week.
"Ronaldo is claimed to [be] unhappy with the manner in which Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is handling Al Nassr's finances, particularly in comparison to how they are treating rival clubs.
"According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Ronaldo's frustration has led to him considering leaving Al Nassr in the summer.
"The report claims Ronaldo has a £43 million (€50m) release clause, with the veteran having 18 months to run on a two-year deal he signed last summer."
Celtic contact Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a free agent for now after leaving Besiktas last year but Celtic are in the running to sign him.
The 32-year-old had been training with former side Arsenal to maintain his fitness but is on the hunt for a new team.
The Mirror writes: "Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has revealed that he has held talks with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain following his return to Arsenal. The English midfielder has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Besiktas in the summer.
"He was given the chance to train with Arsenal earlier this season in an effort to keep up his fitness amid his search for a contract. But now it appears that a move north of the border could potentially be on the agenda.
"Oxlade-Chamberlain, 32, started his career with Southampton ahead of a move to Arsenal in 2011. He went on to make 198 appearances for the Gunners, scoring on 20 occasions and winning three FA Cups before a switch to Liverpool in 2018 for ÂŁ35m."
Kante could still make Fenerbahce switch
N'Golo Kante could still move to Fenerbahce despite his Al Ittihad departure collapsing this week.
An administrative error means he must remain in Saudi Arabia but he could join the Turkish side when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Sun reports: "Kante, 34, was due to make the move to the Turkish side, with his contract with Al Ittihad due to expire this summer.
"But an administrative error from behind Saudi lines forced the collapse of the deal.
"Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri was also victim of the admin error as he was heading in a straight swap with the Frenchman.
"The French international will now stay in Saudi until the end of the season and may be able to join Fener when his contract expires."
Elliott still free to move to MLS
Aston Villa are still set against signing Harvey Elliott from Liverpool and, as a result, he is unlikely to play much for the rest of the season.
The Athletic states that he is still technically able to move to play in the MLS but is not yet interested in such a transfer.
The website states: "If the agreement had been a straight loan, Elliott might have had other opportunities to feature, and perhaps more of a chance to show that he could adjust his game to suit Emery’s demands, but the structure of the deal, designed to help with Villa’s battle to comply with profit and sustainability rules (PSR), made it difficult.
"For the time being, unless both clubs agree to any future changes to the agreement, Elliott seems to have run out of options.
"The fact that he came on as an 89th-minute replacement for Liverpool at Newcastle in August means he cannot represent another team this season — making it one of the season’s more consequential late substitutions — and while he could join an MLS side for the start of their 2026 campaign, when Charlotte FC expressed an interest in offering him an escape route last month, he was not interested."
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