Hancko headlines Al Nassr’s €32m defensive revamp | OneFootball

Al Nassr’s pursuit of David Hancko has sparked fresh debate around the Saudi club’s strategy as they look to strengthen ahead of next season. Feyenoord’s 27-year-old defender has emerged as a priority target, with Al Nassr reportedly tabling a €32 million offer—just shy of Feyenoord’s €35 million asking price.

Hancko, who features mainly at centre-back but also covers left-back, has become a mainstay in Rotterdam over recent years. Across all competitions in 2024-2025, he started 47 times for Feyenoord, registering four goals and playing a key role as the club reached the Champions League last 16. In domestic competition, Hancko made 32 starts in the Eredivisie season, scoring three goals and providing one assist—numbers that point to his reliability and offensive contribution from the back.

His performances haven’t gone unnoticed on the international stage either. At UEFA EURO 2024, Hancko played all four games for Slovakia, clocking 367 minutes with six tackles and 26 ball recoveries. In Europe, his Champions League campaign included 12 appearances and a goal, reinforcing his reputation as a player able to adapt to higher levels of competition.

Al Nassr’s interest comes as the club looks to chase down rivals Al Ittihad, whose strong recent seasons have left Al Nassr searching for upgrades. The club will likely need to adjust its foreign player quota to accommodate potential arrivals like Hancko, with the future of Cristiano Ronaldo at the Saudi club still uncertain—a factor that could play into Hancko’s decision-making, though reports suggest the financial terms on offer from Al Nassr are significant.

Hancko extended his Feyenoord contract as recently as spring 2024, with his deal now running to 2028. This extension hands the Eredivisie side leverage in transfer negotiations, as they seek a fee that could reach as high as €40 million. Despite their preference to keep him, Feyenoord may consider a deal if the terms prove too attractive to refuse.

The defender himself has acknowledged the interest from Al Nassr but stated there has been no recent approach from European clubs. That said, his name has been listed alongside Everton, Chelsea, West Ham, Juventus and Atletico Madrid in previous speculative reports, showing he remains a player on the radar across different leagues.

Fan responses to the possibility of Hancko’s move have varied, reflecting broader conversations about the scale of Saudi investment in the European market and the choices facing players at the peak of their careers.