Cristiano Ronaldo has been dealt a fresh double blow in his plans to leave Manchester United this summer with both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid ruling themselves out of a move.
Ronaldo is determined to depart Old Trafford this summer and he has not reported to the club's pre-season tour of Asia due to 'family reasons'. A potential move to Bayern Munich was ruled out by the German giants last week despite suggestions he could replace Robert Lewandowski, whose move to Barcelona was confirmed on Saturday.
The Portuguese superstar's options have narrowed down after Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel came out against the idea – making any move to Stamford Bridge extremely unlikely – after new Blues owner Todd Boehly considered launching an extraordinary bid to sign the striker.
Intriguingly, Ronaldo was involved in the Red Devils' promotional content for the launch of their new home kit, yet the recorded footage of him and club legends David Beckham and Eric Cantona has not been released. Adidas is believed to be holding it back until the player's future at the club is clarified.
Spanish radio station Cope now claims that Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes offered his client to Atletico Madrid at the start of July but the Spanish club ruled out a move for the Portuguese superstar. The Spanish capital club told Mendes that financially it is not a move that is viable for them in this summer transfer window.
Of course, Ronaldo is synonymous with his nine-year stint at Real Madrid where he demolished the club's record goal-scoring numbers with a scarcely believable 450 goals in just 438 appearances. Marca however say that the club have emphatically ruled out the possibility of him playing for the club again.
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The report adds that relations between Ronaldo and the club's hierarchy are strong but that the club have no ambition of adding him to their first-team squad again. This double blow has ruled a return to La Liga out of the forward's plans.
Ronaldo was left "upset" at seeing his pay slashed at United after each member of the squad was hit with a 25 per cent cut to their weekly wage – with the 37-year-old, who is the club's highest earner, seeing the greatest impact on his pay packet. That was due to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, which Ronaldo is desperate to continue participating in.
The possible exit of Ronaldo would leave United desperately light of attacking options. Edinson Cavani was among a glut of first-team exits this summer upon the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford. Signing a striker was far down United's priority list, but that situation has now changed.
Ajax forward Antony is said to be among the leading transfer targets for new boss Erik ten Hag, who is keen to reunite with the 22-year-old. The Brazilian has told the Dutch giants that he wants the club to consider allowing him to make the switch to United this summer to be reunited with his former boss.
