Arsenal have been warned off signing Cristiano Ronaldo following recent links to the former Manchester United striker.
The Gunners have been dealt a huge blow in their title hopes following a long-term injury to star striker Gabriel Jesus and could bring in a replacement in the January transfer window as a result, with Eddie Nketiah the only other striker left at the club.
It had been reported last week that Arsenal ‘would like to join the race’ for the 37-year-old but Gunners legend Nigel Winterburn has urged his former club to avoid what he believes would be “a complete disaster” move.
Speaking to Metro, via Free Super Tips, Winterburn said: “It’s a no from me and there’s only one simple reason; it would be a short-term gap to fill.
“A lot of people might say that’s great, let’s do it. I wouldn’t be able to argue with that, but I think the way Arsenal start games, they press high, they’re full of energy, and Ronaldo is an unbelievable player, but I don’t think he has the legs to be able to do that any more.
“I’m certain he doesn’t. I think Arsenal would have to change their style of play to bring him in, and I think that move would be a complete disaster.”
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Winterburn’s comments come on the back of the news that Arsenal’s option of trying to convince Ronaldo to remain in the Premier League ahead of January is ‘gaining ground’, as reported by Tribal Football.
There is no doubt that Ronaldo would still be an incredible signing for any team, but his attitude problems, with regards to forcing his way out of Old Trafford in an unprofessional manner, as well as his deteriorating form for both club and country this year, make him a huge risk for the Gunners.
Nonetheless, the report states that Arsenal are keen and are willing to make an attempt to get him to stay in England for the remainder of the season, at least.
It would certainly be a short-term fix to Jesus’ three month lay-off, as Winterburn mentions, while the Gunners would simply have to pay out the wages for the free agent rather than a large fee for the likes of other rumoured targets Joao Felix and Dusan Vlahovic.
With regards to the former, it was reported on Monday by Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness ) that Jorge Mendes, the agent of the Atletico Madrid star, is in talks with Arsenal over a potential January transfer.
However, there are doubts over whether Arsenal will take the risk of paying Atletico’s €100m (£87m) asking price for Felix, with a loan-deal involving an optional buy-out clause at the end of the season a more likely scenario.
