The representatives of Cristiano Ronaldo have reportedly already approached two clubs regarding a potential deal for the Portuguese superstar after he lodged a shock transfer request to Manchester United at the weekend.
The forward - who only made his emotional return to Old Trafford last summer - requested to leave the club and cited their poor finish last season, as well as their hesitation in the transfer market as prime reasons behind his decision to depart.
News of his desire for a transfer will of course be hard for the Red Devils’ hierarchy to digest, especially with Ronaldo having hit 24 goals in all competitions upon his return to the club even if the side in all endured a thoroughly underwhelming season.
The club are of course taking a tough stance over the 37-year-old’s future by insisting that he is not for sale, whilst face-to-face talks between Ronaldo and new boss Erik ten Hag are set to take place on Monday upon his return to Carrington for pre-season testing.
That has not stopped the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s representatives from gaging potential interest in his services though. According to The Sun, Premier League rivals Chelsea and German giants Bayern Munich are the two clubs so far to have been sounded out regarding a deal.
The Blues could do with attacking recruits this summer having let record signing Romelu Lukaku rejoin former club Inter Milan on-loan, whilst Timo Werner has never quite managed to find consistency since his move from RB Leipzig in 2020.
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Elsewhere, reigning Bundesliga giants Bayern are also in the market for additions at the top end of the pitch despite having secured the services of former Liverpool star Sadio Mane already. Robert Lewandowski looks set to leave the club for Barcelona having also expressed his desire for a fresh challenge earlier this summer.
It remains to be seen whether either Chelsea or Bayern will indeed pursue a move but there are also further candidates who could potentially move for Ronaldo’s signature. Napoli are noted as interested, whilst Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal and Porto are said to be weighing up an offer to bring Ronaldo back to his homeland.
Interestingly enough, club and international teammate Bruno Fernandes has claimed that a move back to Sporting is something that both he and the club’s supporters would like to see. Speaking to Portuguese journalists last week, he said: "It would be a great moment for the sportinguistas, almost everyone expects that; I would like that to happen.
“He has the ambition to continue playing for many years, we will see what he will decide - I hope - when his contract with United ends, but the ambition and dream of sportinguistas would be to see Ronaldo playing for Sporting.”
Ronaldo has just one year remaining on the original two-year contract that he signed to return to Old Trafford from Juventus 12 months ago.
