Transfer Centre

Al-Nassr release Vincent Aboubakar amid reports of Manchester United agreement

By Ben Sully | 08 January 2023

Al-Nassr release Aboubakar amid reports of Man United agreement

Saudi-Arabian club Al-Nassr terminate the contract of Manchester United target Vincent Aboubakar, who effectively makes way for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr have terminated the contract of Manchester United target Vincent Aboubakar.

The 30-year-old joined Al-Nassr from Besiktas in June 2021, and he has gone on to score 13 goals and provide six assists in 39 appearances.

Aboubakar also represented his country, Cameroon, at the 2022 World Cup where he scored two goals, including a sublime chip in a 1-0 win over Brazil.

During the current Saudi Pro League campaign, Aboubakar has scored four goals in 11 matches, but he did not feature in the club's recent 2-0 win over Al-Tai following uncertainty over his future.

Due to the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr exceeded the limit for non-Saudi Arabian players in their first-team squad.

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his presentation on January 3, 2023 © Reuters

As a result, Al-Nassr have announced that they have mutually terminated Aboubakar's contract to free up space for Ronaldo.

The Portugal international is now expected to make his Al-Nassr debut on January 22 against Ettifaq once he serves the second game of a two-match ban for knocking a phone out of a 14-year-old's hands after United's defeat to Everton in 2021.

Ironically, Aboubakar has been linked with a move to Manchester United, who are currently looking to strengthen their forward line following Ronaldo's departure in November.

While a previous report suggested that the Red Devils had reached an agreement over a loan deal, Aboubakar will now be available on a free transfer.

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar celebrates scoring their first goal on December 2, 2022 © Reuters

As well as attracting interest from United, Fenerbahce are believed to be keen on signing the Cameroon international.

Despite being linked with a move to the Turkish giants, the forward supposedly favours a move to the Premier League.

Aboubakar is not the only striker on United's radar following rumours that Wout Weghorst is being considered as a loan option by the 20-time English champions.

Weghorst is currently on loan at Besiktas from Burnley and the Turkish club's sporting director has recently hit out at claims that he is close to moving to United.

While Weghorst is believed to be a loan option, the Red Devils have also been linked with Memphis Depay and Joao Felix.