Newcastle are among the bookies’ favourites to sign Cristiano Ronaldo with the forward also backed for a switch to the MLS… after reports he wants to leave Al-Nassr
- Veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly already searching for a new club
- The 38-year-old agreed a £175million-a-year contract until 2025 with Al-Nassr
- Newcastle have emerged as a favourites with the bookies to sign him next
Newcastle are among the favourites with the bookies to sign Cristiano Ronaldo amid reports the veteran is seeking an early exit from Al-Nassr.
According to Paddy Power, a switch to the MLS is most likely next for Ronaldo, with odds to join any side in the division at 6/4.
The Portugal international has been linked heavily in the past with a US switch, with mulitple sides reportedly fighting for his signature before he sealed a move to Saudi Arabia.
Former side Sporting Lisbon are also in the mix at 2/1, with yet another shock return to Manchester United at 16/1 and a return to Real Madrid at 18/1.
Newcastle, who have all-but secured Champions League football for next season, sat nine points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool with five games to play, are at 6/1 to sign the 38-year-old.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave Al-Nassr just months after joining the Saudi side
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are among the bookies favourites to sign the 38-year-old forward this summer
Mail Sport understands Eddie Howe will be granted a ‘huge’ increase to his transfer budget should they finish in the top four.
Newcastle will not shatter their wage structure this summer, however, despite targeting the likes of Declan Rice and Mason Mount.
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Ronaldo before, with reports emerging in January claiming the forward could join the Magpies as part of his Saudi contract.
Howe dismissed those claims, though, stating: ‘We wish Cristiano all the best but there’s no truth in that from our perspective.’
The 38-year-old’s £175million-a-year contract with Al-Nassr runs until 2025, a deal he penned after mutually agreeing to leave former club Manchester United in November last year.
Third-placed Newcastle have all-but secured a place in the Champions League next season
Ronaldo has been in fine scoring form for the Saudi side since his arrival, scoring 12 goals in as many league games this season, inlcuding after only four minutes in a 3-0 home win against Al-Raed on Friday.
Al-Nassr now sit in second place in the Saudi Pro League and just three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, though having played a game more, with five games to come.
Yet, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner reportedly wants to leave the club just months after his arrival, with former club Real Madrid said to be willing to offer Ronaldo a non-playing role as an ambassador.
Spanish outlet El Nacional said: ‘Florentino Perez has guaranteed that [Ronaldo] will not lack work at the Santiago Bernabeu. But, obviously, he wouldn’t do it to be a player, because he considers that it is a cycle that should be considered closed.’
Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez is said to be yearning for a return to Madrid, where the couple met, but a move back to Spain is not the only option the forward has.
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