According to a peculiar new story out of Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first and former club, Sporting Lisbon, is in negotiations with Manchester United regarding a possible loan transfer for the superstar striker.
Ronaldo is rumoured to be trying to leave Old Trafford this summer, citing the desire to participate in the UEFA Champions League next season as one of the reasons for his desire to go.
Sporting Lisbon plays in the top tier of the Portuguese leagues and has qualified for the Champions League next season, whereas Manchester United will play in the Europa League.
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is claimed to have offered the player to a number of teams, with several rumours tying the player to Bayern Munich.
However, the German giants have already openly rejected any interest in acquiring Ronaldo this summer, joining a list of teams that are not planning to pursue his signature.
If the rumours from Portugal are to be accepted, Sporting would undoubtedly be priced out of paying a big percentage of his earnings.
According to Sport TV Portugal, via Portuguesesoccer.com, “Cristiano Ronaldo loan talks from Manchester United to Sporting CP are currently underway.”
If the allegations are true, Ronaldo’s return to Sporting would be one of the most shocking moves in recent memory.
Interest from Atletico Madrid
According to ESPN, Atletico Madrid is still in the running to sign Ronaldo.
Chelsea recently ruled out a bid for Ronaldo after signing England attacker Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. However, because Atletico Madrid has yet to withdraw from the competition, the former Real Madrid star might yet end up at a prominent European club.
After losing Luis Suarez, Atletico Madrid would also like to improve their attacking line.
The Portugal attacker has also not ruled out staying at Old Trafford if the right deal does not come in.
Ronaldo returned to United a year ago, but his second stint has not gone quite as planned. Last season, he scored 18 goals in 30 Premier League games, but United finished sixth and failed to qualify for the Champions League.
He did brilliantly individually, but the team failed to perform.
Manchester United will be relieved to have him for at least another season as who wouldn’t want to retain Cristiano Ronaldo.
