Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford this summer and is yet to return for pre-season training having recently been linked with a £2million a week move to Saudi Arabia
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.
Brian Brobbey is set to re-join Ajax after personally calling Erik ten Hag to let him know he's not interested in signing for Manchester United.
The 20-year-old striker was linked with a move to Old Trafford after an impressive loan spell at Ajax last season, scoring seven league goals to fire the Amsterdam outfit to a second successive Eredivisie title. Ten Hag, of course, was the manager of Ajax at the time.
Brobbey came through the ranks at Ajax and was given his chance in the first team by Ten Hag. He joined RB Leipzig 12 months ago but struggled to make an impact in Germany, failing to score from his 14 games. Ajax have an option to make his loan permanent.
Reports suggested United are trying to derail Brobbey's permanent return to Ajax but, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, their attempt has failed. It's claimed the youngster called Ten Hag 'himself' to let him know he wants to continue his career in Amsterdam.
Ten Hag and Brobbey have held several telephone calls in recent weeks to discuss a transfer and the player has joked about joining United. "I am very happy for him and he really deserves it after everything he has done for Ajax," said Brobbey in April, shortly after Ten Hag's appointment was confirmed. "If only he brings me with him in two years... joking!"
Simeone’s side are monitoring the developments surrounding Ronaldo, who has just one year left on his contract. Atletico Madrid lost Luis Suarez this summer and need someone to replace the Uruguayan, especially with Antoine Griezmann struggling and Alvaro Morata headed for the exit doors.
However, the report clarifies that Atletico Madrid are not currently planning to launch a move for Ronaldo. Even if that changes, a move does seem implausible given his rich history at Real Madrid. But then, stranger things have happened in the transfer market.
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