Super agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly told Manchester United to ‘name their price’ for Cristiano Ronaldo as he attempts to get the Portuguese superstar out of Old Trafford.
The Red Devils striker has dropped a shock request to leave the club this summer just 12 months after he sealed an emotional return to the club from Juventus. But so far, an exit has been difficult to facilitate.
United have taken a strong stance over Ronaldo’s future by insisting that he is not for sale, whilst pointing to the fact that he still has a year left to run on the two-year deal he signed.
In the meantime, those linked with a swoop for his services - namely Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea - all appear to have fallen by the wayside in the race for his signature. Ronaldo’s lofty United wages have proved a significant stumbling block.
The 37-year-old has reportedly attempted to force his way out of Old Trafford by requesting that Man Utd rip up the remainder of his contract but that eventuality appears unlikely.
Mendes has now apparently intervened as he attempts to plot a route for his client out of the club. According to The Sun, the Portuguese agent has asked the Red Devils to 'name their price' for Ronaldo, with an offer currently on the table for the striker.
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It remains to be seen which club has made a move for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, whilst it is also unclear how much the Red Devils would want to receive for his signature. United only paid a reported £12.9m to bring him back from Juventus last summer but he was pivotal in his first campaign back with the club, winning the club’s top goalscorer accolade with 24 strikes to his name in all competitions.
Whilst speculation continues to circulate regarding his future, Ronaldo has actually made a return to the club over the last few weeks. He missed the side’s pre-season tours of Asia and Australia due to family reasons but was back at Carrington early last week to take part in pre-season training for the first time, as well as hold talks over a potential exit.
The striker was also afforded his first minutes of action on Sunday as he was named in the starting line-up for the Red Devils’ friendly with Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. He lasted 45 minutes before being substituted by manager Erik ten Hag.
He still had the opportunity to stir up more speculation as he was spotted leaving the stadium before the final whistle, something that United revealed they had no problem with.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo also took to social media to share his thoughts of his first opportunity under the stewardship of Ten Hag. Alongside of an image in him in action, the striker wrote: "happy to be back".
