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Cristiano Ronaldo 'thinks Man City transfer may happen by weekend' in Man Utd heartbreak
Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as a top Manchester City transfer target.
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Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly thinks a move to Manchester City may materialise by the weekend. The Portugal international previously spent six years playing for the club’s fierce rivals, Manchester United. But a move to the Etihad Stadium is a possibility as he looks to leave Juventus behind.
Ronaldo is open to moving on to pastures new.
The Portugal international has spent three seasons strutting his stuff in Serie A, firing them to two Scudetto triumphs in the process.
But, now, Ronaldo’s time in Italy could be over.
The 36-year-old recently benched himself for their match with Udinese, believing he’s able to secure a move away from the club as the clock ticks down.
City have recently emerged as frontrunners to land the veteran, despite the Old Lady saying he won’t be going anywhere.
And L’Equipe claim Ronaldo thinks a move to the Etihad Stadium could be sorted as soon as this weekend, in a blockbuster development.
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Jorge Mendes is said to be negotiating with the Premier League champions.
And Ronaldo himself has spoken to Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo in order to press ahead with a move.
However, while talk of Ronaldo returning to England is gaining credence, there are still obstacles that need to be overcome.
City don’t want to pay a fee for the veteran.
And they also want him to lower his wage demands, with the club looking to avoid making the former Manchester United star their highest-earner.
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If Ronaldo does move to the Etihad, it would likely damage his reputation amongst United supporters.
Especially as he said back in 2015 that he wouldn’t ever play for the Red Devils’ fiercest rivals.
"To play for City not United? I’m not going to do that,” he said.
“Why? Because my heart’s in Manchester United, that’s why.
"I can say it would be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very difficult to play at Manchester City.
“Very difficult because of Manchester United."
Speaking last year, meanwhile, Andy Townsend urged City to swoop for Ronaldo as a replacement for Sergio Aguero.
Aguero has since left City for Barcelona.
And Townsend said: “If you want goals then I think he’s still the ultimate goal machine.
“I know Messi and there has been so much mileage on the debate over the years but I still think Ronaldo still has the desire and want to be remembered as the greatest. He will in some people’s eyes but he won’t in others.
“He’s still got a desire to score goals. More than anything on the field now, he just wants to score goals.
“He’s at that period where his eyes light up every time there’s a free-kick at whatever angle. Whenever he gets the chance to shoot he will. Even when others are better placed, forget that.
“He’s unbelievable in the air, which we’ve seen in a Juventus shirt already.
“If he became available and Juve wanted out on him and Man City needed goals for their team then I don’t think you should hesitate in going to get Cristiano Ronaldo.
“He’s 35 and I still think he’s got 18 months in him. If he came to Man City and the way they play I think he could go there and get 25 in his first season.”