Look, we’re just as cynical as most of you are about this Cristiano Ronaldo business.
While we’re almost certain that he’ll be walking out in a white strip at the Santiago Bernabeu in a few weeks time, for now, it’s our duty to report that he ‘wants to leave’.
Inevitably, Manchester United are being strongly linked with a potential move for the Portuguese captain. This isn’t the first time rumours of a Ronaldo return to Old Trafford have done the rounds and, given that United are one of only two or three clubs that could afford such a deal, it’s hardly a surprise.
While most United fans remain unconvinced that such a move will happen, reports continue to suggest that it’s very much on the cards.
The Daily Mail, for example, have gone as far as saying that a United move for Ronaldo wouldn’t have any impact on their plans to sign his Real Madrid clubmate, Alvaro Morata.
Prior to the stories breaking about Ronaldo’s future at the end of last week, United had appeared certain to seal a move for Morata, who was given a debut at Real by United’s current boss, Jose Mourinho.
The Mail claim that United are readying an eye-watering £183m bid for the pair which, wait for it, would also see David De Gea moving in the opposite direction.
De Gea was, of course, on the cusp of joining Real a couple of years ago, only for the deal to fall through at the eleventh hour. The report suggests that United would be willing to let the Spaniard return home as part of the deal after it was initially claimed that the European champions wouldn’t allow him to leave for less than £350m.
As good as Ronaldo undoubtedly is, his arrival wouldn’t be enough to hide the fact that United would also need a new goalkeeper to replace De Gea – despite Mourinho’s trust in Sergio Romero throughout last season’s successful Europa League campaign.
One goalkeeper that’s likely to be on the move in the very near future is AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Last week, the 18-year-old informed the Italian giants of his intention to leave the club when his current deal with them expires. Real were expected to be his most likely destination, but should De Gea become available, this would mean a move to Spain would almost certainly be off.
If this were to happen, a United move for Donnarumma wouldn’t seem too far fetched, especially when considering the goalkeeper shares an agent – Mino Raiola – with the likes of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
