Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to leave Manchester United, almost after a month he conveyed his decision to the club. As the summer transfer market’s deadline is fast approaching, the Portugal forward is left with two options to pick from, according to SPORT.
The United talisman asked the club to let him leave this summer, after their failure to make it to the Champions League. Add to it, United’s dire business in the transfer market has further left Ronaldo fuming and wanting to quit Old Trafford. However, after an initial gathering of a host of clubs around him, Ronaldo now has limited alternatives to Man United.
A two-horse race between Sporting and Dortmund for Cristiano Ronaldo
As soon as Cristiano Ronaldo chose to pursue a new challenge this summer, as many as half-a-dozen clubs circled around him. Most notable of them were United’s fellow rivals Chelsea, German giants Bayer Munich and Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. While other sharks in Barcelona and PSG were also touted to be interested, they quickly dismissed such reports.
However, Chelsea and Bayern backtracked on their Ronaldo pursuit as both the clubs believed the superstar won’t fit their system. Atletico too have cooled-off their interest after strong protests from their fans over signing the former Real Madrid player. But according to SPORT, two sides have emerged as a last glimmer of hope for the 37-year-old.
His boyhood club Sporting CP and last season’s Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund are ready to facilitate the incoming of the United forward. Sporting were tipped to make a move earlier as well, only for their former star’s lucrative salary proving to be unviable for them. United had scouted Ronaldo from Sporting, after he impressed for his club against the Red Devils in a preseason friendly.
On the other hand, Dortmund are once again in the market for a new striker after their Ajax recruit Sebastian Haller is found out to be suffering from long-term illness. Haller who was touted as Erling Haaland’s replacement, will be out for months and as a result Dortmund want Ronaldo to fill in.
Though they have landed FC Koln striker Anthony Modeste, Dortmund feel Cristiano is the one who can fiercely lead their attack in the Bundesliga as well as the Champions League. With just over 10 days remaining in the transfer window to shut, Ronaldo has a tough decision to make. Moreover, United too are firm on their stand of not letting their 24-goal forward from last season leave.
While the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has already featured twice for United this season, he has been on the losing side with the club against Brighton as well as Brentford. His agent Jorge Mendes is also making tireless trips around Europe in order to secure a transfer for his client.