Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes ‘offers Manchester United star to Barcelona during dinner with Joan Laporta’… with ex-Real Madrid forward’s future at Old Trafford increasingly uncertain
- Cristiano Ronaldo has told Manchester United he wants to leave this summer
- The 37-year-old is desperate to play Champions League football in 2022-23
- He was seen in Lisbon on Monday as he missed the start of United’s pre-season
- Reports in Spain claim he was offered to Barcelona by his agent Jorge Mendes
Ex-Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has been offered to LaLiga rivals Barcelona by his agent Jorge Mendes, according to reports in Spain.
Ronaldo has dropped a bombshell on Manchester United by insisting he wishes to leave Old Trafford in a desperate bid to continue playing Champions League football.
The 37-year-old was reportedly seen at Portugal’s training centre in Lisbon on Monday as he missed the start of United’s pre-season, with the club citing family reasons as the reason for his absence.
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been offered to Barcelona
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes (R) allegedly offered his services over dinner with Joan Laporta
Premier League rivals Chelsea have been linked with a stunning move for the Portugal international, but AS claim his representative also offered him to Catalan giants Barcelona over dinner with their president Joan Laporta.
The report claims Laporta tested the waters last summer with regards to signing Ronaldo, but that ultimately the club’s dire financial situation prevented them from making a serious approach.
But the same outlet admits the news could just be a ploy from Barcelona to put pressure on Bayern Munich in the face of their ongoing refusal to negotiate the sale of Robert Lewandowski.
They add the futures of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, AC Milan’s Rafa Leao and Man City star Bernardo Silva were also discussed by the pair, and while Barcelona admire the latter the Premier League champions will only let him leave for £86million.
Ronaldo was absent as United stars returned to pre-season training on Monday
To much fanfare, Ronaldo returned to United for a second spell after leaving Juventus last summer – with fans hoping the Portuguese star could fire them into a title fight following his previous success at the club between 2003 and 2009 where he won three Premier League crowns and the Champions League.
However, despite scoring 24 goals in 38 games, United suffered one of their worst Premier League campaigns, limping over the line to finish sixth and scrape a Europa League place on the final day of the season under interim boss Ralf Rangnick following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager.
Ronaldo is due to hold talks with new manager Erik ten Hag on his return to the club, but the 37-year-old is understood to desperately wanting to play in the Champions League at the late stage of his career.
The former Real Madrid star has scored 20 goals in 34 career appearances against Barcelona
United are unwilling to sell Ronaldo at this stage but the prospect of a move is entertaining to the Blues and new owner Todd Boehly according to The Athletic.
The publication reported last month that Boehly met with Ronaldo’s agent Mendes and that a surprise Stamford Bridge was among subjects discussed.
However, should Ronaldo move to Camp Nou, he would join the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Luis Figo in representing the Spanish rivals.
The Portuguese has scored 20 goals in 34 appearances against the Catalan giants for the likes of Madrid, Juventus and United.
The future of Man City star Bernardo Silva was also reportedly discussed by Mendes
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