Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly offered to top European clubs for just £80,000 per week, only for no potential suitors to take Manchester United up on the offer.
The Portugal international, 37, left United by mutual agreement in November after criticising the club during an interview with Piers Morgan. He has since found a new club, joining Saudi outfit Al-Nassr on a big-money contract set to run until 2025.
Upon arriving in Riyadh, Ronaldo claimed to have had offers from Europe in addition to other leagues across the world. Over the summer, though, interest in the veteran had reportedly waned to the point that even a discount wasn't enough to convince elite teams to take a chance.
“So far I'm feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this decision in my life, and as you mentioned before in Europe my work is done," Ronaldo told the media after being unveiled by Al-Nassr. "I won everything, I played at the most important clubs and for me now it is a new challenge in Asia."
In the summer of 2022, Ronaldo appeared on the verge of a Man Utd exit with no appetite to play Europa League football. The likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid were all linked, but no club took the plunge.
According to The Athletic, this was despite an apparent discount being available. Unspecified ' Champions League teams' were reportedly offered the chance to bring the former Juventus frontman on board for just £80,000 per week, with United prepared to cover the remainder of his hefty pay packet.
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The same report claims Ronaldo was advised by agent Jorge Mendes to stay at Old Trafford, with an extension to his two-year deal still a possibility at the time, only for the player to reportedly take a different approach himself. However, as The Athletic reports, a representative for the Ronaldo denied suggestions he made direct contact with anyone in club hierarchies.
"I can say now I had many opportunities in Europe, many clubs in Brazil, Australia, USA, even in Portugal many tried to sign me," Ronaldo said upon joining Al-Nassr. He has joined the likes of Vincent Aboubakar and David Ospina at his new club, and could be in line to make his debut as soon as Thursday.
After Ronaldo's arrival at his new club, there had been reports of a clause in his contract allowing him to join Newcastle United if the club qualified for the Champions League. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund supported the takeover of the Magpies in 2021, and Eddie Howe's side sit in the Premier League's top four after 18 matches.
Howe was asked about this ahead of his team's draw with Arsenal, but poured cold water on the suggestions. "We wish Cristiano all the best in his new venture but there's no truth in that from our perspective," the manager said.
