Napoli and Sporting Lisbon have emerged as loan options for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the summer transfer deadline, according to The Independent.
The Portugal international is said to be determined to play Champions League football for a 20th-straight season, and he is apparently ‘pushing’ for a move away from Old Trafford.
A permanent transfer seems unlikely on the cards with the transfer window closing on Thursday, but it is reported that super-agent Jorge Mendes is trying his best to finalise a loan deal.
Napoli and former club Sporting are open to a temporary move for the 37-year-old, but that would largely depend on United paying a portion of his current weekly wages.
Meanwhile, the same report reveals that there is no chance of Ronaldo acting as a makeweight for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. The club value him at over £100 million.
United are unlikely to spend anywhere close to that figure after the huge outlay on Ajax’s Antony.
Ronaldo could stay at Man Utd this summer
Ronaldo’s basic weekly salary has dropped from £480,000 to £360,000 this campaign following the Red Devils’ failure to qualify for the Champions League through a top-four finish.
Despite this, he is the highest earner at the club. We don’t see the prospect of United paying a portion of those wages for him to spend an entire season away from the Premier League.
Instead, manager Erik ten Hag should be content to keep Ronaldo in the first-team squad. He may not start regularly under him, but would be a game-changer in the big games for United.
The £27 million-rated star may have the desire to play Champions League football again, but United would be making a big mistake if they are willing to loan him out without a top quality replacement.
With just over two days of the transfer window left, it is highly unlikely that United will spend big after the Antony deal. Any decision on Ronaldo could be put on hold until the New Year.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
