Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal club president Fahad ben Nafel has disclosed that Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal only fell through due to a transfer ban.

Reports on transfer deadline day said that the Riyadh-based team were the only one to make an offer for the Manchester United star after he announced his desire to leave this summer due to their lack of Champions League football.

A two-year contract worth £2million-a-week and £210m in total plus a £25m transfer fee was already agreed with Ronaldo insisting he was happy with the move in 'principle', despite reports that he felt it was a step down and his desire to play in the Champions League.

The offer would have made 37-year-old Ronaldo, whose only club goal this season so far came against Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League, the highest-paid footballer in the world.

Al-Hilal were slapped with a transfer ban in May after their midfielder Mohamed Kanno changed his mind on a move to Al-Nassr at the last minute, with a contract already signed with both clubs.

Al-Hilal, managed by Ramon Diaz, have the likes of former West Bromwich Albion attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira, former Atletico Madrid attacker Luciano Vietto, Malian striker Moussa Marega and Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo - once of United - in their squad. 

Despite the 24 goals scored by Ronaldo in all competitions, United endured a dismal season and could only qualify for the Europa League by finishing sixth in the Premier League.

United paid Juventus an initial £12.85m to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford last summer, with the player signing a two-year contract with the option of a third.