Pranav Nair
Neymar may have handed Manchester United the initiative in Cristiano Ronaldo pursuit
According to The Mirror, Manchester United may have been handed a major advantage in signing Cristiano Ronaldo, thanks to Neymar.
The 36-year-old’s future at Juventus has been called into question following a difficult season. Apart from United, Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a move for the player.
Despite turning 36, Ronaldo continues to impress and has scored 25 goals in 29 Serie A appearances for Juventus this season. The Turin giants are however set to surrender their Scudetto and face a fight to finish in the top four.
Ronaldo has no intention to stick around if Juventus fail to qualify for the Champions League. With him looking set to move on, United is a potential destination.
While PSG is keen on him, extending Neymar’s contract could see them go short of cash to make a move for Ronaldo. The Portuguese sensation earns a whopping £27million a year at Juventus.
Neymar already earns close to £45m a year in Paris and could very well be expected to a pay rise when he pens his fresh terms. The player himself has confirmed that it is as good as done.
An advantage or is it?
United may have been handed an advantage by PSG, but the Red Devils are in no position to match Juventus’s package for Ronaldo either. It would appear that a free run at his signature counts for little since we won’t cough up what is needed.
United remain keen but will proceed with a deal only if Ronaldo is willing to settle for half of what he currently makes. The player for his part does not appear too enthusiastic about it.
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United have focussed on signing young players in recent years. Breaking the bank for Ronaldo would be a departure from that approach.
It makes little sense for us to pay over the odds for a player who is in his twlight years. That money is better off being used elsewhere.
