Saudi Arabia would "undoubtedly" support offers from its private sector to buy historic English clubs Manchester United or Liverpool, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said on Friday.
"I can't speak for the private sector, but there's a lot of interest and appetite, and there's a lot of passion for football," the minister told the BBC.
"We will certainly support the arrival of a private player, as we know it will have a positive impact on sport in the kingdom," added Prince Abdulaziz.
Saudi Arabia, which has been widely criticized by human rights organizations for its record in this area, bought English club Newcastle United, which currently sits third in the Premier League, last year thanks to a consortium comprising Saudi investment fund PCP Capital Partners and brothers David and Simon Reuben.
The US owners of Manchester United caused a stir this week by revealing they are considering selling the club, just hours after announcing the departure of 37-year-old Ronaldo.
Liverpool owners, also Americans, said they were open to new shareholders but did not confirm reports that the club was for sale.
After Ronaldo told British television he had rejected a €350m offer to join a Saudi club, Prince Abdulaziz said: "Anything is possible, I would like to see Ronaldo play in our league.
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“It would benefit the league, the sports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and it would inspire young people for the future.
He is a role model for a lot of kids and he has a big fan base in Saudi Arabia,” he continued.
Prince Abdulaziz also said that Saudi Arabia's chances of bidding to host the FIFA World Cup would increase if it was awarded the hosting of the 2026 and 2027 Asian Women's and Men's Cups. .
The country is in talks with Egypt and Greece over a transcontinental bid for the 2030 World Cup, an Egyptian official said in September.
"Every country in the world would love to host the World Cup," the prince said.
