Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be at the centre of attention ahead of the January transfer window having yet to sign for a new club following his dramatic exit from Manchester United.
The 37-year-old has seemingly only had one concrete offer from Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr, although nothing has reached a conclusion in the three weeks since he became a free agent. There is also talk of Chelsea reigniting their summer interest, while Real Madrid have welcomed him back to their training facilities.
But having so far failed to find his next club, and with plenty of rumours continuing to circulate over his future, Mirror Football brings you all the latest updates surrounding Ronaldo’s current situation.
Chelsea U-turn
After announcing his desire to leave Old Trafford in the summer, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was so keen to bring Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge that he reportedly had the deal ready to be signed after holding talks with the 37-year-old’s agent.
Then-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel opted against a move and signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang instead. However, football.london have reported that the Blues could reignite their interest in Ronaldo as a short-term fix, following the recent season-ending injury to back-up striker Armando Broja.
But those hopes may have already been quashed following transfer expert Fabrizio Romano’s latest admission. He claims Chelsea ‘are not currently in the race’ for Ronaldo and ‘there are no ongoing negotiations’ between the two parties.
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Real Madrid return
450 goals in 438 games across nine seasons cemented Ronaldo’s place as one of Real Madrid’s best ever players and it would only be natural to speculate that a return to the Santiago Bernabeu could be on for the Portuguese superstar.
However, even though the La Liga giants are not said to be interested in a reunion with their record goalscorer, Spanish outlet Relevo reported on Wednesday that Ronaldo had been snapped at Real Madrid’s training ground just four days after Portugal’s World Cup elimination.
The 37-year-old is said to have been granted permission to work on his fitness on a separate pitch, away from the first team, until he finds his next club. However, he has had no contact with his former teammates and is simply working alongside a personal trainer and son Cristiano Jr.
Al Nassr statement
Despite wanting to leave Man United in search of a return to Champions League football, Spanish outlet Marca announced that Ronaldo would join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year deal for £173million-per-year - making him the highest paid athlete in the world.
It was said that the deal would take effect from January 1, 2023, although Ronaldo dismissed those claims after Portugal beat Switzerland on December 6, telling reporters: “No, that’s not true – not true”.
But Ronaldo’s astronomical wage demands could leave him with little choice but to join the Middle East club, whose manager Rudi Garcia admitted that he “would be delighted” if he got the chance to work with Ronaldo. Nonetheless, the deal remains on the table.
