According to latest reports, Jorge Mendes, agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, contacted Sporting Lisbon regarding a potential move this summer. The Portuguese striker’s preference remains to join another club this summer, with the player said to have relayed the same to United’s executives early last week.
Amongst the most intriguing transfer stories in recent weeks, the future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United remains uncertain despite the 37-year-old having made his first pre-season appearances against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Having missed out on a major part of pre-season owing to personal issues, the Portuguese forward has since been heavily linked with a move away from United. The player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is reportedly said to have offered him to numerous clubs across Europe including the likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea.
However, most of the interested parties have publicly dismissed the possibility of signing him this summer. Moreover, United’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League alongside the unlikeliness of challenging for silverware in the upcoming season is said to have played a major role in the Portuguese striker desperately seeking a move away from the club.
Whilst the forward’s current wages remain a major barrier to him permanently moving to another club this summer, the agent of Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have held talks with the player’s former club, Sporting Lisbon, last week, according to The Athletic.
Jorge Mendes is working to establish exit routes for Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford. Talks have been held with Sporting Lisbon. [@lauriewhitwell] #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) July 28, 2022
However, despite the lure of the Portuguese club offering up the possibility of silverware alongside Champions League football, “…finding the finance for such a move—including covering his high wages—would be complex.” Additionally, the team’s coach, Ruben Amorim, is said to have reservations about moving for the striker owing to him changing the dynamic of the squad for the upcoming season.
Despite numerous reports suggesting Ronaldo’s desperation to leave United this summer, the club continues to reiterate its disinterest in sanctioning his sale anytime soon. Recent reports suggest the possibility of Ronaldo terminating his two-year deal with the club before the end of the transfer window.
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Nevertheless, United’s lack of options in the forward line alongside the remote possibility of signing an adequate replacement for Ronaldo could eventually see the Red Devils keep hold of the Portuguese beyond the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen if the 37-year-old departs Old Trafford only a year after his return to United.
Having reportedly had a meeting with the club’s executives at Carrington last week, Ronaldo is said to have been adamant about his decision to leave this summer. However, considering manager Erik Ten Hag’s consistency in reiterating the club’s stance vis-à-vis not listing the striker for sale this summer, there remains a possibility Ronaldo sees out his contract with United at the end of the upcoming season.
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