Al Nassr transfer business stalls as presidential vacuum and heavy debts bite ahead of new season

Al Nassr will begin the defence of their Saudi Pro League title under significant strain, with the club yet to make a single summer signing amid a leadership vacuum and mounting financial pressures.

The Riyadh side, champions of the 2023-24 دوري روشن, are one of only three clubs in the division who have not completed any transfers in the current window, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Yaum. They are joined by Al Hazem and Al Riyadh as the only teams still inactive in the market.

This lack of movement comes despite Al Nassr being linked to several players in recent weeks, and has fuelled concern among supporters who had expected substantial reinforcement to build on last season’s domestic success.

Presidential void delays key decisions

Al Nassr are currently operating without a permanent president after Abdullah Al-Majed announced the official end of his term and confirmed he did not wish to continue through the regulatory extension period.

His departure has created an administrative vacuum at the top of the club at a critical point in pre-season, with a new board expected to be tasked with resolving several pending files before the campaign gets under way.

The uncertainty at boardroom level has coincided with what local reports describe as severe financial strain, driven by accumulated debts. These liabilities have had a direct impact on Al Nassr’s transfer strategy, slowing or halting negotiations that had progressed into advanced stages.

Samu Costa deal on hold as club turns inward

One of the most prominent cases is that of Spanish midfielder Samu Costa of Real Mallorca. Al Nassr had secured the player’s approval to join and wear the club’s colours, but the deal has not been finalised due to the club’s current circumstances.

Instead, the focus of the existing administration has shifted towards internal matters rather than new arrivals. At the top of that list is the renewal of winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s contract, which officials view as a priority to maintain stability within the squad.

The combination of administrative change, financial obligations and a standstill in recruitment has left Al Nassr heading towards the new season with largely the same group that delivered the league title, but without the reinforcements many had anticipated.

New era under Ange Postecoglou

On the pitch, the team is entering a fresh chapter under Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, who has taken over from Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus. Jesus led Al Nassr to reclaim the دوري روشن crown last season, ending their wait to return to the top of the Saudi domestic game.

Postecoglou’s arrival marks a significant shift in the technical direction of the club, with the new head coach expected to impose his own tactical identity and training methods. However, the absence of new signings so far could limit how much he is able to reshape the squad in the short term.

Continental ambitions under scrutiny

While winning the league title was seen as an important step in Al Nassr’s project, last season also brought disappointment on the continental stage. The club lost the final of the elite AFC Champions League, a defeat that reinforced a sense among fans and observers that the project remained incomplete.

That near miss has raised expectations among supporters for strong recruitment this summer to boost the team’s chances in next season’s Asian competition. Many had hoped that the momentum from the domestic triumph would translate into an aggressive push in the transfer market.

Instead, the combination of outstanding debts, a temporary leadership gap and delayed negotiations has left those ambitions on hold, at least for now, as Al Nassr work to resolve their off-field issues before the new campaign begins.