Al Nassr granted financial certificate as club pushes to lift transfer spending limits

Al Nassr have obtained the financial efficiency certificate required to enter the summer transfer market, but the Saudi Pro League champions remain under strict spending restrictions that continue to delay new signings.

The Riyadh club had been unable to announce any arrivals so far this window after reports of a significant financial crisis left them subject to tight controls before completing any deals.

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported on Friday that Al Nassr have now secured the financial efficiency certificate, a key regulatory hurdle that allows them, in principle, to register new players during the current transfer period.

However, according to the same report, the financial constraints imposed on the club have not yet been fully lifted. Al Nassr are understood to be hopeful that these restrictions will be eased in the coming hours to enable them to press ahead with their recruitment plans.

Certificate opens door for deals – with conditions

The financial efficiency certificate gives Al Nassr an opportunity to move forward on both incoming transfers and contract renewals, but only under the oversight of the Financial Supervision Committee, which operates under the umbrella of the Saudi Pro League.

Any new agreement or extension must receive final approval from this committee before it can be completed, meaning Al Nassr’s activity in the market remains dependent on regulatory clearance.

The club’s hierarchy are waiting for that green light as they seek to finalise their first signing of the summer.

Samu Costa lined up as first summer arrival

Supporters are particularly awaiting confirmation of a deal for Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa, who is expected to join from Real Mallorca.

Al-Riyadiyah reports that Al Nassr have lined up a move for the 23-year-old, with the transfer fee understood to be €9m.

Once the remaining financial controls are relaxed and the relevant approvals are in place, Costa is anticipated to become Al Nassr’s first addition of the current window.

Domestic and Asian ambitions driving recruitment

Al Nassr are looking to strengthen their squad further as they aim to defend their title in the Roshn Saudi League.

The club also have ambitions of winning the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in their history, while targeting a strong challenge for the King Cup of Champions.

Meeting those objectives is expected to require additional reinforcements across the squad, but the timing and scale of any business remain dependent on when the Financial Supervision Committee allows the existing constraints to be removed.

For now, the club have taken a significant step by securing the financial efficiency certificate, yet the full resolution of their financial situation – and the impact on their summer transfer activity – will only become clear once the remaining spending restrictions are addressed.