Cristiano Ronaldo has turned down a staggering offer of £2.24million-a-week from an oil-rich Saudi Arabian club.
Manchester United icon Ronaldo, whose camp let it be known he was open to the prospect of a move this summer, were approached with the eye-watering offer. The Saudi club were prepared to offer Ronaldo a two-year contract worth £233.23m, more than four times his current salary, in the hope of luring him to the Saudi Pro League.
The club in question were also prepared to offer United a £25million transfer fee for 37-year-old Ronaldo, who currently earns £480,000-a-week. But Ronaldo and his representatives rejected the offer, because his wish to move is motivated by a desire to play in the Champions League for the 20th successive season.
Although Ronaldo is said to be softening with regard to his wish to leave, he will not be joining up with United in Australia for the final two games of their summer tour. United believe there would be no benefit in Ronaldo, who has been granted an extended break for personal reasons, flying all the way to Australia, given the distance involved and different time zones.
The same will apply to Lisandro Martinez, with the Ajax defender expected to complete his £46m move to United this weekend. The Argentina international will not fly out to Australia to join United once his move is completed.
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United are also prepared to start the new season without their top summer transfer target, Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong, rather than switch their attention elsewhere. The long-running pursuit of De Jong has been held up but the issue of a payment of around £17m, in deferred wages and bonuses, owed to the midfielder by Barca.
United remain committed to getting the De Jong deal done, according to club sources, and will only give up on it if the issue of the outstanding payment De Jong ultimately becomes insurmountable.
