Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain, with Marseille ready to become the next club to turn down a mega-money transfer for the 37-year-old superstar.
According to former Marseille player Jean-Charles De Bono, the Ligue 1 club has already conducted research to determine the financial impact of signing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Ronaldo’s outrageous commercial value eclipses that of any other footballer on the planet. Marseille was claimed to be interested in learning how a transfer may lead to sponsors joining the team.
Since telling United of his desire to go ahead of the club’s pre-season tour in early July, the Portuguese legend and his loyal agent, Jorge Mendes, have been unable to locate a suitable replacement. No European clubs have been ready to take on his eye-watering wage demands in order to play Champions League games and risk losing his record as the competition’s all-time greatest goalscorer to everlasting rival Lionel Messi.
While Marseille considers a deal, it is already certain that Ronaldo will be warmly welcomed. OM veterans Djibril Cisse, Mamadou Niang, and Samir Nasri have all voiced a desire to see the ex-Real Madrid and Juventus talisman strut his stuff at their old club.
Fellow icon Eric Di Meco, who spent 14 years at Marseille before becoming a commentator, similarly believes that failing to recruit Ronaldo would be “unforgivable.” “You have to try it only for the [love of it], to make fans and the city vibrate,” Di Meco proclaimed.
“These guys are self-sufficient. In the end, a man like Ronaldo isn’t that pricey. The primary stakeholder must ignite, find a financial answer, and locate a firm in the United States.”
The former OM stalwart acknowledges that Ronaldo joining his favorite side is “science fiction” and that a trade has “one chance in a thousand.” Di Meco believes the Portugal captain might cause problems behind the scenes, saying, “If he came by miracle, he would put the brothel in your locker room.”
While it is obvious that the prospect of signing Ronaldo excites the Velodrome faithful, it is up to the present Marseille management to decide whether or not to launch an official transfer approach. Following Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Nantes, club president Pablo Longoria was questioned about Ronaldo, but he dismissed the speculation.
“Ronaldo? Going into these types of specifics is pointless. “We have to be concrete in life,” Longoria said Canal , implying that Marseille’s financial analysis had concluded that he’d be too pricey to sign. It’s difficult to imagine Marseille making a move, given the club’s aspirations of acquiring young players with the intention of challenging Paris Saint-Germain in the future.
While Ronaldo remains a United player, Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag has officially stated that he has a role to play this season. Ten Hag addressed his controversial decision to bench him for Monday’s exhilarating win over old adversaries Liverpool: “I think he can [adjust to my system].”
“He did it throughout his career and under several managers.” He constantly performed in a variety of styles and systems. Why is it that he can’t do it again? His age is irrelevant. You are excellent enough when you are young, and when you are elderly and still deliver the performance, you are also good enough.”
But it’s all up in the air behind the scenes, with speculation rife about whether or not selling Ronaldo would be a prudent move. With Ten Hag’s new era focusing on long-term success, it’s easy to see how keeping the veteran satisfied throughout the campaign would be difficult.
Co-owner Joel Glazer is desperate to keep Ronaldo due to the business benefits, but even if the Old Trafford bigwigs decide to part ways with their No.7 before next Thursday, they’ll need to find a buyer quickly.