Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr have reportedly identified Luciano Spalletti as their top managerial target following the imminent departure of Stefano Pioli, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Riyadh-based club, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, is preparing a blockbuster offer for Spalletti, who was relieved of his duties as Italy’s national team manager earlier this week. While no official proposal has been tabled yet, sources close to the matter suggest that an offer exceeding the €12 million net annual salary currently earned by Pioli is imminent — potentially propelling Spalletti into the upper echelons of global coaching earners.

Pioli, whose tenure at Al Nassr appears to be over, is in the final stages of terminating his contract — which runs until 2027 — and is widely expected to take over at Fiorentina next season. The 58-year-old has reportedly already given verbal agreement to Viola president Rocco Commisso, explaining why he was never seriously in contention to replace Spalletti at the national level.

As for Spalletti, the decision is now his. The 65-year-old tactician, who led Napoli to a historic Scudetto in 2023 before taking over the Azzurri, may weigh the Al Nassr offer against potential opportunities from elite clubs in Serie A or across Europe.

With high-profile Italian managers such as Roberto Mancini, Pioli, and Simone Inzaghi all being courted by Saudi clubs in recent years, the precedent for such moves is well established. Al Nassr, for their part, are determined to land a manager of Spalletti’s pedigree and will not hesitate to put forward a financially irresistible proposal.

Spalletti, now officially a free agent following the FIGC’s announcement of his dismissal, may not remain without a bench for long.