Al-Nassr have decided not to renew Sadio Mane’s contract when it expires at the end of the current season, despite the Senegal forward’s strong performances since joining the Saudi club.
Mane’s representative reportedly offered to reduce the player’s current salary by 60% in an attempt to secure a one-season extension. However, Saudi journalist Falah Al-Qahtani said Al-Nassr rejected the proposal.
Mane will be free to negotiate with other clubs during the next winter transfer window before moving for nothing the following summer.
The 34-year-old joined Al-Nassr from Bayern Munich in summer 2023 and has become an important member of the team. Across approximately three and a half seasons, he has made 144 appearances, scoring 54 goals and providing 43 assists.
His biggest team achievement with the club came last season, when Al-Nassr won the Roshn Saudi League title for the first time in seven years. He also helped them claim the King Salman Club Cup for Arab Champions in summer 2023.
Mane could be joined in leaving by Portugal duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix, whose futures at Al-Nassr are also uncertain.
Ronaldo’s contract ends at the conclusion of the current campaign. Reports suggest he could announce his retirement from international football afterwards, particularly if he reaches his career target of 1,000 goals.
The forward, known as the “Madeira Rocket”, has scored 985 goals so far and needs 15 more to become the first player in history to reach 1,000.
Felix is also due to see his contract expire at the end of the current season, allowing him to sign an agreement with another club during the winter window and join as a free agent the following summer.
However, Al-Nassr have an option to extend the Portugal international’s deal for a further two years without requiring his approval. Exercising it would require the Saudi club to pay Chelsea €20m and increase Felix’s annual salary from €10m to €12.5m.
According to information previously reported by Kooora, Al-Nassr’s administration, led by Ahmed Al Sultan, is accelerating legal procedures to activate the unilateral extension clause and keep Felix under contract until summer 2029.
The move is intended to prevent his agent, Jorge Mendes, from taking him to Barcelona. Barcelona’s interest in Felix is understood to have been renewed, with Mendes reportedly planning to use the end of the mandatory period of the player’s contract in summer 2027 to arrange a free transfer or a move for a nominal fee.
Al-Nassr are currently working to resolve financial issues before informing the Saudi Professional League that they are ready to provide the guarantees required for the Felix deal by the deadline in May next year.
