Ronaldo reconsidering £211m Saudi Arabia offer

Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly reconsidering a lucrative offer to join a club in Saudi Arabia next year.

The 37-year-old allegedly told the Red Devils that he wanted to leave in the summer transfer window after the club could only achieve a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last term.

Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes worked tirelessly to find his client a new club, with the Portugal international determined to add one more Champions League crown to his collection before he retires.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Sporting Lisbon and even Barcelona were linked with a move, but Ronaldo did not attract any concrete offers from top European clubs.

As a result, the transfer window shut with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still on the books at Old Trafford, but he has been a peripheral figure under Erik ten Hag so far.

Ronaldo was also reported to have been the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, who are still keen to prise him away from Old Trafford, but the striker had no desire to join a team not competing in the UEFA Champions League.

However, The Mirror claimed that Ronaldo could ultimately perform a U-turn on his stance if it becomes clear that he will not be able to force his way back into the starting lineup under Ten Hag.

The report added that Ronaldo may reluctantly accept that his time at the pinnacle of European football has come to an end, and he could expect to pocket a mammoth £2m in weekly wages in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al-Misehal recently spoke to The Athletic regarding the possible arrival of Ronaldo, and he does not see a reason why teams in the Saudi Pro League cannot tempt the ex-Real Madrid and Juventus man to join.

“We would love to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the Saudi league. It would bring a huge positive feedback and it would be big news for everyone,” Al-Misehal said.

“I’m sure everyone knows the achievements and records of Cristiano Ronaldo, but also as a player who is a great role model. I think, ‘Why not?’ I’m sure it would be a very expensive deal, of course, but we can see our clubs getting higher revenues in the past couple of years.

“We have already seen some big players who used to play in the Premier League come to the Saudi league. I like Cristiano Ronaldo as a player and I would like to see him play in Saudi Arabia.

“It wouldn’t be an easy transaction for a Saudi club or even for him, but we would love to see him or even some other top players of the same level.”

Ronaldo is without a goal or assist in seven appearances for Man United across all competitions this season, although he has only started one Premier League game so far, with Marcus Rashford currently preferred as the number nine.

The Portugal international played the full 90 as Man United lost their Europa League opener to Real Sociedad last week, and he has now amassed 142 goals and 62 assists in 337 appearances for the Red Devils across his two spells at the club.

Ten Hag’s side will return to action on Thursday evening against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League, but their proposed Premier League clash with Leeds United has been postponed ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.