According to the head of the Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo's summer transfer fell through because of registration complications more than a desire to stay in Europe.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League at the end of the previous season, Ronaldo was eager to leave Manchester United. Potential destinations Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea surfaced, but none of them agreed to a deal.
He was also the target of Saudi Arabian interest, with Ronaldo rumored to have received a nine-figure two-year contract offer. However, he was said to wish to stay in Europe at the moment.
However, according to Thamanya, Al-Hilal CEO Fahad ben Nafel acknowledged that the club was in talks with Ronaldo, however personal issues were not the cause for the move falling through.
"Yes, we negotiated with Ronaldo. The problem was not in the money or the principle, Al-Hilal is able to bring in the stars of the world, but it was in the decision of the Sports Arbitration Centre that prevented us from registering the players," he said.
"We did not stop negotiating with the players despite the decision to ban, but we were delaying entering the final stage of the negotiations until the ban was lifted."