Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr have set their sights on Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho as they explore alternatives to Liverpool star Luis Diaz. The Riyadh-based club had initially identified Diaz as their top target to replace outgoing forward Sadio Mane, but their pursuit hit a dead end after Liverpool made it clear that the Colombian remains a key figure under new manager Arne Slot.
According to The Daily Mirror, with Diaz staying put at Anfield, Al-Nassr have turned their attention to Garnacho, who could be available this summer amid uncertainty surrounding his future at Old Trafford. The 19-year-old Argentine has long idolised Cristiano Ronaldo, and the chance to reunite with his boyhood hero in Saudi Arabia could prove tempting.
Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Manchester United has been up in the air since the fallout following their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. Reports indicate that manager Ruben Amorim, overseeing a squad overhaul, has told the Argentine to seek a new club this summer. With United keen to raise funds for reinforcements, Garnacho has emerged as one of the most valuable assets they could sell.
Napoli already had a bid for Garnacho rejected, but with Al-Nassr financially backed by Saudi state interests and intent on making a marquee signing, they are well-positioned to meet Manchester United’s valuation. Garnacho, who has two years left on his current deal, remains one of the most marketable young names at Old Trafford and could command a significant transfer fee.
For Al-Nassr, Garnacho represents more than just a replacement for Mane, he is a symbol of their ongoing ambition to attract globally recognised talent, and potentially the face of their next phase if Ronaldo extends his stay.
At the heart of Al-Nassr’s pursuit of Garnacho lies the allure of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese icon is reportedly in talks to extend his £3.2 million-a-week contract, with senior Saudi officials eager to tie him down before launching their full-scale summer recruitment drive. Garnacho, who famously declared Ronaldo as football’s greatest even while debuting with Argentina, remains emotionally connected to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
A move to Al-Nassr would not only allow Garnacho to escape the shadows of a turbulent spell at Manchester United but also link up with the player who inspired his rise. For the Saudis, it is a match made for headlines, a young, globally popular talent joining forces with the league’s marquee star.
Al-Nassr’s interest in Garnacho is no surprise. After missing out on Luis Diaz, targeting a younger, marketable talent with elite-level potential makes strategic and commercial sense. For Garnacho, the offer represents both a career pivot and a personal dream. While he has unfinished business in Europe, the combination of a starring role, lucrative wages, and a reunion with Ronaldo may prove too compelling to turn down. If United are serious about rebuilding, cashing in on Garnacho could also unlock the next phase of their own transformation.
