Amidst Saudi Arabia Link, Troost-Ekong Fancies Playing with Ronaldo

Super Eagles assistant captain William Troost-Ekong has reacted to speculation linking him with a summer move to the Saudi Pro League.

The PAOK central defender was officially the standout player of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals to win the Player of the Tournament accolade.

Those performances have not gone unnoticed with several unnamed top-flight clubs in Saudi Arabia expressing an interest in his signature ahead of the reopening of the transfer window.

The Saudi Pro League has become a key player in the transfer market, attracting several prominent African stars such as Riyad Mahrez, Franck Kessié, Edouard Mendy, Sadio Mané, Seko Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Regarding a potential move to Saudi Arabia, Troost-Ekong admitted that while he finds the prospect intriguing, he would need to evaluate it further if it were presented to him.

In an exclusive interview with CNN World Sport, Troost-Ekong said: “I’m very happy here. I haven’t spoken to my agent yet but you never know in football.

“You might get tempted by something bigger and better and I think at my age of 30 you have to think about all your options.

“Yeah, I think it would be something that I would definitely consider.”

When asked if he would consider a move to Saudi Arabia, Troost-Ekong replied: “I can’t tell you that now because it’s not right in front of me.

“The Saudi League is something which is exciting, you saw quite a lot of the best players who were part of the AFCON have headed in that direction and are playing there.

“If that option is in front of me, then, I will have to study it a bit more and consider it.”

The biggest name currently on the books of a Saudi Pro League club is former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

On if he would fancy playing alongside the legendary striker, Troost-Ekong said: “Who wouldn’t? One of the best players in the world. We’ll have to see what happens but I’m happy at PAOK.”

Troost-Ekong has two years and four months remaining on his contract with PAOK, whom he joined from Watford in July 2023.