A non-league team have become the first club to make an official move for former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed the club earlier this week following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
Cheshire side AFC Crewe, who play in 14th tier of English football, announced their approach on Tuesday (November 22), generously offering to make the Portuguese international their 'highest paid player' with an enticing package of £35 per week.
Having been on a reported £515,385 per week during his stint at Old Trafford according to the Mirror , Ronaldo would have to be willing to take a £515,3500 per week pay cut in order to turn out for the Crewe and District Football League outfit.
READ MORE: Manchester United open to signing forward to offset Cristiano Ronaldo exit
In a statement on Twitter, AFC Crewe said: "We can confirm that the club has made an official approach to sign free agent Cristiano Ronaldo on a one year deal.
"Should Cristiano accept the offer, he would become AFC Crewe’s highest paid player, taking home £35 per week."
While a bold approach from the non-league side, they will be hoping that the short commute between Ronaldo's Alderley Edge home and King George's Playing Fields in Crewe may be enough to entice Portugal's all time record goal-scorer.
Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United was announced on Tuesday following an interview in which the forward said he had 'no respect' for manager Erik ten Hag and felt 'betrayed' by the club.
However, this did little to put decision makers at AFC Crewe off, who acted swiftly to make their approach just over 30 minutes after United's official statement confirming the departure of Ronaldo, who is set to feature for Portugal against Ghana in the World Cup later today (November 24).
The approach from AFC Crewe follows in the footsteps of fellow non-league side Ashton United, who made an ambitious loan bid for Erling Haaland while the Premier League takes a break over the World Cup.
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