Sergio Busquets has turned down a lucrative opportunity to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, according to reports in Catalonia.
Despite an offer of £17million per year from the club, Busquets will keep his options open with his contract due to run out at the end of the season, as reported by Catalunya Radio.
It was reported last week that the Saudi Arabian club were offering the Barcelona captain £11.5million a year to be their next big star following Ronaldo’s arrival.
Regardless, what he could have made at Al-Nassr would have paled in comparison to Ronaldo’s salary, with the Portuguese striker on a mouthwatering £175million-a-year contract.
The former Man United man had previously been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Napoli after stunning United officials by telling the club he wanted out in the summer transfer window.
Busquets, meanwhile, could yet choose to extend his stay at Barcelona, where he’s had a highly decorated career.
He’s started 12 of 16 league games this season at the age of 34, and has looked comfortable recently with the younger Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Pedri playing alongside him at various points.
According to sources close to ESPN, Busquets initially considered leaving Barcelona in January but has since committed his services to the club until the end of the season.
Busquets has also attracted interest from Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami – who have also been linked to his ex-teammate Lionel Messi – though no firm agreement has yet been made at this stage.
Speaking about Busquets’ expiring contract, Barcelona boss Xavi told the press earlier this month: ‘He has a contract until June and will stay until the end of that and then we will see.
‘[It will then depend] how he ends the season, but I think it’s more of a personal decision for him, based on his feelings and how he feels on the pitch.’
Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr was for two years, and while Busquets apparently won’t be joining him, the Saudi Pro League club was thrilled to have the former Real Madrid man.
‘The world’s greatest athlete officially signed for Al-Nassr,’ they said in a tweet.
Ronaldo’s first appearance for the club will come in a friendly vs. Messi’s PSG on Thursday.
