Cristiano Ronaldo is considering a loan move out of Manchester United, after failing to find a top notch potential suitor. The forward has only two options, Sporting CP and Napoli remaining on the table who would offer him Champions League football. While it was expected a lot of Europe’s elite clubs would circle around him after he decided to quit Old Trafford, the situation has turned out to be a complete opposite one.
The Portugal international’s agent Jorge Mendes is working hard to find the best solution for his super client as he is reportedly holding talks with a number of clubs. However, only the 37-year-old’s boyhood club Sporting CP and Napoli remain the last ones standing. Mendes has also recently met with the United administration in order to facilitate Ronaldo’s exit.
Cristiano Ronaldo ready to endure on loan spell for Champions League football
Soon after Cristiano Ronaldo conveyed his decision of leaving Man United, a lot of clubs did approach him for a possible move. Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Sporting CP and Napoli all fancied their chances. However, barring Sporting and Napoli, all others backed out given the forward’s salary demands and his inability to fit in their system.
The Portuguese signed a lucrative two-year deal at Old Trafford last summer, which sees him pocket a whopping salary of £500,000-per-week. As as result, neither of the clubs were ready to offer him such a stellar deal and hence pulled themselves out of the race to sign him. However, Sporting and Napoli are still desperate to acquire him, given he takes a significant pay-cut.
On the other hand, Mendes has suggested a loan deal for Cristiano who is reluctant to sustain a pay-cut. A salary-sharing loan move is being thought of by Mendes which could see Ronaldo move to either of Sporting or Napoli, who would then cover a part of his wages alongside Man United.
Napoli and Sporting have both qualified for the UEFA Champions League and have been drawn in Groups A and D respectively. While the Naples side will play Ajax, Liverpool and Rangers, Sporting will face Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham and Marseille in their group stage. Both the clubs are planning to land the European competition’s all-time top scorer to exploit his massive experience.
Ronaldo too has grown frustrated at Old Trafford given the club’s dismal start to the new campaign. Erik ten Hag’s men have lost two and won two of their first four league games, where Ronaldo featured in the starting line-up only once. He has graced the other three games coming-off the bench and is yet to score or assist in the new season.
With just two days remaining for the transfer window to shut, Mendes will have to accelerate his efforts if Ronaldo is to join a Champions League club. While United are ready to continue without the mercurial forward, they may still have him post the transfer window given the limited options he has on the table.