Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves has confirmed that the Brazilian outfit are interested in the possibility of signing Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the transfer window closing.
Ronaldo, who returned to United almost a year ago from Italian giants Juventus, wants to leave the club this summer in pursuit of Champions League football. The Reds could only manage a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last term, so will compete in the Europa League this season.
That relegation has meant that United's squad has been forced to accept a 25 per cent reduction in their salary, something that Ronaldo is understood to be "upset" about. He wants to leave Old Trafford ahead of the transfer window closing and missed almost all of the club's pre-season preparations, absent the pre-season tour altogether due to "personal issues."
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He made his return for Sunday's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford, being awarded a starting berth by manager Erik ten Hag. He was substituted at half-time and left the stadium before the match had even finished, something Ten Hag has criticised the Portuguese star for.
Several big-name European clubs have been heavily linked with Ronaldo over the last few weeks, including Chelsea and Bayern Munich. However, each club has since distanced themselves from a move, meaning the 37-year-old's options are running out ahead of the transfer window slamming shut on September 1.
Nevertheless, although it would not offer him the Champions League dream he craves, Ronaldo may be offered an escape route in the form of Corinthians. The Brazilian club, according to Alves, are remaining open-minded about the prospect of landing the former Real Madrid man, but are yet to make a formal approach.
"It's true, I dream big," Alves told told Ulissescast, via Mundo Deportivo. "This is Corinthians. Aren't Willian and Renato Augusto here?
"In football everything is possible and I have the obligation to give my best for Corinthians. Is it possible? I don't know.
"We didn't try, we didn't investigate, there was no such possibility, but we are keeping an eye on him. Imagine that he suddenly wants to play in Brazil."
Ronaldo, who plundered 24 goals in all competitions for United last season, has played in the Champions League for almost two decades, meaning his determination to play in the competition for the remaining years of his career is understandable. He has been the face of the competition in recent years, particularly during his time at Madrid.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News last month, United received a £25million offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club for Ronaldo's services, but he was poised to reject the move, highlighting his determination to remain in Europe.
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