Jorge Mendes is making a last attempt to get Cristiano Ronaldo regular Champions League football, with a loan option to either Napoli or Sporting now among the few remaining options.
The Portuguese “super agent” was in discussions with the Manchester United hierarchy at the weekend to try and “unblock” the situation, although a key issue remains how few takers there are for the 37-year-old.
As United wrapped up their summer spending with the €100m deal for Anthony from Ajax and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from Newcastle, Mendes reached out to Napoli and Ronaldo’s first club Sporting in the last few days, with both apparently amenable to a deal.
Any move would likely be a loan to see out the remaining year of Ronaldo’s two-year contract at Old Trafford, with United paying a portion of the wages. The extent of the Portuguese’s salary – understood to be more than £500,000 (€585,000) a week – has been one of the major obstacles to a move this summer.
Any deal could yet have a knock-on impact on the rest of United’s business. While Napoli striker Victor Osimhen potentially going to Old Trafford has been raised in discussions with the Italian club, it is currently seen as unlikely for this window.
Signing the 23-year-old Nigerian international, who scored 18 goals last season, would require a bid of more than £100m, with United already set to spend a similar figure on Ajax’s Antony, and talks have focused on how such a deal might be more suitable for the budget of summer 2023.
United had intended to sign also a right-back, if they sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and another midfielder before Thursday’s deadline, but appear to have committed their remaining transfer funds to Antony.
The Brazilian winger (22) was due to fly to Manchester last night for a medical and to complete the paperwork on a five-year deal after United finally met Ajax’s asking price.
United will take Dubravka on a season-long loan to provide back-up and competition to first-choice goalkeeper David De Gea.
