Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal have told Cristiano Ronaldo to name his price to move to the super rich Middle East.
With football in the country on a high following the shock World Cup win over Argentina and the links with Premier League Newcastle United leading club Al-Hilal want to continue the feel good factor by luring free agent Ronaldo.
The 37-year-old whose Manchester United contract was ripped up as he reported for World Cup duty with Portugal is believed to be interested in continuing his football in the Middle East, especially with little interest so far from leading clubs in Europe. Al-Hilal attempted to sign Ronaldo last summer, armed with a staggering contract worth around £300 million.
Again money will be no problem as Saudi Arabia, anxious to make a huge impression on the sporting world, look to make Ronaldo the face of their domestic football.
It’s a similar situation to the one that in 2007 saw David Beckham become the poster boy of the MLS with a move to LA Galaxy. Ironically Beckham’s current MLS club Inter Miami have also been in talks with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes.
But so far Al-Hilal are leading the way prepared to make Ronaldo by far the highest paid player in world football with a salary which will eclipse his £500,000 a week Old Trafford pay packet.
Ronaldo issued a short statement in the aftermath of his departure from United. It read: "Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early. I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change.
"However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge. I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future."
He added in a press conference after Portugal's victory over Ghana: “It was a week that finished this chapter [with Man Utd]. It is closed and now I want to start with the good foot. We [Portugal] started, we won. “I could help my team and all the rest does not matter.”
