Cristiano Ronaldo signs Samu Costa as Chelsea miss out on Enzo Fernandez replacement
22 Jul 2026 10:57 BST |
3 min read
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Cristiano Ronaldo will be joined at Al-Nassr by another Portugal international star, with confirmation from the Saudi Pro League side of a major transfer coup.
Al-Nassr, who are 15% owned by Ronaldo as part of his latest contract agreementalready have a sizeable Portuguese influence in their ranks. As well as ‘CR7’, they boast Joao Felix and head coach Jorge Jesus.
Now that contingent is set to grow following the announcement that they have completed a deal to sign Samu Costa from Mallorca.
“The deal was finalised between Mallorca and Al Nassr, with a final agreement reached for the transfer of Samu Costa, after the Saudi club surpassed the offer from RB Leipzig and other European clubs,” Hector Martin told Arriyadiyah.
The central midfielder was a standout figure for Mallorca in La Liga last season, where he scored seven goals in 34 appearances, despite primarily being cast as a ball-winning player.
Reports from AS indicate that Al-Nassr are ready to spend €25 million on Samu, who will surpass Kang-In Lee as Mallorca’s record sale. Saudi source Occurrencehowever, claims that the total deal will be worth €9m, which would be a bargain deal.
Samu was named in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal World Cup squad and played 20 minutes of the 0-0 group stage draw with Colombia.
He was picked ahead of Mateus Fernandes, who West Ham sold to Tottenham for €99m earlier this summer, highlighting the pedigree of the player involved.
Premier League potential
Samu had previously been tipped for a Premier League move, with Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa all seen as an ideal destination for the 25-year-old.
“His ability to embrace those physical aspects of the game, I think, is something that clearly recommends him as a potential Premier League player,” European football expert Andy Brassell explained to TalkSport.
“He’s someone I could definitely see at Aston Villa if they didn’t have Boubacar Kamara coming back who’s absolutely brilliant in that position. The level of physicality that he’s got I think would probably quite suit Newcastle as well.
“Maybe Chelsea, if they were to move on from Enzo Fernandez – obviously he wouldn’t be the high profile replacement that a lot of Blues fans would be hoping for.
“But maybe he’s someone who could be developed, and we know how Chelsea’s main idea is to develop players into someone who could be the next one of that.
“Someone who’s got great defensive qualities but is properly box-to-box as well, who can pitch in with goals. And in that sense he would fit pretty well with Chelsea.
“I think we have to underline Spurs as a possibility, because of course, it’s not a given that Joao Palhinha will end up back at Spurs.”
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