We’ve been here before.
Every other summer, reports emerge that Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy at Real Madrid and wants to return to Manchester United. Of course, no move ever happens, and the forward remains in Spain. United are the richest football club in the word, and Ronaldo had six brilliant years at Old Trafford before leaving for Madrid in 2009. So, the link is an obvious one to make if you are Ronaldo’s representatives seeking an improved contract from Madrid for the player.
He also isn’t the first footballer to seek leverage in the market, and he certainly won’t be the last. According to Football Leaks, Lionel Messi and his father met with Real Madrid as a ploy to increase Barcelona’s contract offer, and it certainly worked because the he is reportedly paid over £100m a season.
United have been led down the garden path in the past by Ronaldo’s representatives. In 2013, the club reportedly felt they could complete a deal to bring him back to Old Trafford, and last summer there were murmurings that the forward was sick of Real. Well, the January window is open, and guess what? Ronaldo allegedly wants to leave Madrid, and return to United.
However, according to reports, United “doubt” the stories that claim Ronaldo wants to leave La Liga. According to ESPN, “sources close to United remain unconvinced Ronaldo has any real desire to leave Real Madrid and is merely trying to force a better deal out of his current club.” In other words, don’t expect United to go chasing Ronaldo again, as they’ve been burnt in the past, and aren’t willing to be made look foolish again.
This stance seems logical. However, it’s quite possible that this time, Ronaldo actually is ready to leave Madrid. According to Guillem Balague, Madrid are prepared to let him leave, and the player is ready to go. He is said to be unhappy that Neymar is paid more at Paris Saint-Germain, and his rival Messi is paid more at Barcelona, and wants his salary increased to bring him on par with both players.
The Portuguese forward is 33 in February, and while he may be the fittest 33-year-old footballer on the planet, Madrid can be forgiven for starting to plan for life after he leaves. Ronaldo is also enduring a difficult season by his own lofty standards. He has scored an impressive nine goals in six Champions League games, but has only scored four goals in the league so far.
There’s also talk that Madrid are planning to make a move for Neymar at some point in the near future, and there’s unlikely to be room on the wage bill for both at the Bernabeu. If Ronaldo is about to leave Madrid, it’s difficult to imagine United having no interest in a potential transfer. But, for now, they’re reportedly not willing to chase the player again.
