Cristiano Ronaldo reached 100 Saudi Pro League appearances in Friday’s match against Al-Najma. He scored twice in that 100th game as Al-Nassr won 5–2. Ronaldo joined the SPL in early 2023 and the centenary milestone invites a straightforward comparison with his first 100 matches in Europe’s top leagues.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner began his rise as a teenager in the Premier League with Manchester United. Across his first spell at the club (2003–09), and a brief return (2021–23), he totalled 236 Premier League appearances, 103 goals and 47 assists. In his first 100 Premier League matches he recorded 19 goals and 14 assists, according to StatMuse.

Ronaldo’s most prolific period arrived at Real Madrid over nine seasons (2009–18). In La Liga he made 292 appearances, scoring 311 goals and providing 95 assists. In his first 100 La Liga matches he scored 111 goals, including 14 hat tricks, according to StatMuse. That 111-goal start in Spain is 14 more goals than his output in the SPL, a gap that highlights how his scoring rates have varied across stages of his career.

After La Liga, Ronaldo moved to Serie A with Juventus (2018–22). He made 98 league appearances there, scoring 81 goals and adding 21 assists. Individual honours followed, including Serie A MVP for 2018–19 and Serie A Best Striker in 2020–21.

Beyond domestic leagues, Ronaldo has been prolific in European competition. In the UEFA Champions League he has 140 goals and 50 assists in 183 appearances.

The simple arithmetic of first-100 appearances underlines a career of evolving output. Age and the comparative level of the Saudi Pro League are referenced frequently when measuring his current returns against the double-digit scoring feats he produced earlier in La Liga and other top flights.

Reports indicate Mohamed Salah’s options for a summer move to Saudi Arabia have narrowed after three of the country’s biggest clubs made clear they will not pursue him. ESPN says Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ahli are “not interested” in the Egypt international, reducing the number of serious bidders.

That leaves Al Ittihad as the clearest potential suitor. The club remain linked to Salah after their high-profile, unsuccessful $200 million (£150 million) approach in 2023. Al Ittihad have been persistent since that pursuit three years ago and are described as treating the 33-year-old as a long-term priority.

Al Qadsiah are cited as the only other feasible Saudi option if Salah decides to move to the Pro League, but the expectation is that Al Ittihad will be the side most capable of funding a deal. Dealmakers are believed to view the transfer as within Al Ittihad’s financial reach, and Salah is thought to be willing to consider a switch.

The central challenge for any bidder is the sporting case. Al Ittihad lost Karim Benzema to Al Hilal at the turn of the year, a departure described as an enormous blow, and the club may face further high-profile exits. Their current leading figure is Moussa Diaby, formerly of Aston Villa, but he is thought to be keen on an exit himself.

Other notable names at Al Ittihad include Youssef En-Nesyri and Roger Fernandes, alongside Fabinho, a former Liverpool teammate of Salah. The report suggests Fabinho could be departing too, with Manchester United’s Casemiro the preferred replacement.

Those changes have shown on the pitch. Last season’s Saudi champions now sit sixth in the Pro League, 25 points behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s league-leading Al Nassr, underlining why Al Ittihad might feel compelled to add a superstar if they hope to restore their standing.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sealed his exit from Al Nassr as the summer window approaches. Real Madrid are reportedly prioritising a move for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and are expected to submit an offer of over $92.5 million (€80 million, £69.1 million).

Napoli are seeking a reduction on the $50.9 million (€44 million, £38 million) option to sign Rasmus Højlund permanently from Man Utd, with that clause becoming an obligation if Antonio Conte’s side qualify for the Champions League.

Manchester United continue to explore defensive cover and have targeted Nottingham Forest centre back Murillo as back-up for Lisandro Martínez. Inter have indicated Alessandro Bastoni is not untouchable amid interest from Barcelona.

In midfield activity, Paris Saint-Germain are preparing a bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, but the Blues have been warned a fee of $173.5 million (€150 million, £129.5 million) would be required to convince them to sell. Manchester City are assessing Atlético Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios as they consider life without Rodri, while Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is reportedly unconvinced by the idea of signing the Man City midfielder after a recent Champions League performance.

Arsenal remain active on several fronts. Riccardo Calafiori is considering his future at Arsenal in search of more minutes, and Chelsea are weighing a surprise approach. RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has been discussed as a summer target, with sporting director Andrea Berta holding talks. Arsenal have also discussed potential offers for Brentford winger Kevin Schade and have been linked with Feyenoord winger Anis Hadj Moussa, though Newcastle could rival them for his signature.

Chelsea want to appoint Aston Villa manager Unai Emery at season’s end; Emery has demanded Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, Borussia Dortmund centre back Nico Schlotterbeck and Victor Osimhen as conditions for a move. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has met Schlotterbeck to attempt to persuade him to join Anfield, while Liverpool are also stepping up their pursuit of Juventus centre back Pierre Kalulu.

Other notes: West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is attracting interest from Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd with bids of over $75.2 million (€65 million, £56.1 million) needed to open negotiations; Anthony Gordon is reportedly unhappy at Newcastle and is interested in Liverpool and possibly Arsenal; Juventus are exploring moves for Tottenham right back Djed Spence and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.