Manchester City line up £136 million deal for Cristiano Ronaldo – Cha-ching!
September 3, 2008
As we saw with Manchester City’s last ditch attempt to sign Dimitar Berbatov; competition drives up prices. As soon as Tottenham had another solid bid for Berbatov, any bargaining power United had was lost and we were effectively held to ransom over the fee. So it is not all bad news when Manchester City and their new billionaire owners declare they are prepared to pay a staggering $240 (£136) million for Cristiano Ronaldo. Will Manchester United ever sell their star player to Manchester City? Of course they won’t; but having interested clubs who are prepared to pay the big money will only raise the player’s value for his eventual move to Spain.
As much as I hate to admit our superstar winger will one day be plying his trade somewhere else, the reality of the matter is he probably will and it will probably be in the next season or two. We all know of Real Madrid’s admiration for the player and it is almost certain they will renew their interest come next summer. Ronaldo desperately wants to play in Spain one day and it is his dream to pull on the white shirt of Madrid so a deal at some point in the future looks likely. This is where City’s bid will help us bend Madrid over a barrel. If you want him, you better pay the going rate.
Let’s pretend for a minute that a bid from Manchester City of £136 million for a player who cost just £12 million appeals to the Glazers and in an attempt to balance the books, the bid is accepted. Do you think Ronaldo would fancy a move to Eastlands? City cannot offer the player Champions League football and despite ambitions of a top four finish this term, I very much doubt they will be able to offer Champions League football next season (and probably not the season after that either).
One of Ronaldo’s biggest reasons for wanting to play in Spain is the ease at which he could visit family and friends in Portugal. Something a move across town would do nothing to aide. Something that may appeal to the winger would be the bumper wages on offer. Early media reports already suggest Ronaldo could be offered anything up to £300,000 a week to make the switch but I am still hoping Ronaldo will make decisions for footballing reasons and will not be swayed by money. I mean, he’s already on £120,000 a week; how much more can he need?
Ronaldo himself has stated his future decisions are not affected by money and has, on numerous occasions, declared his love for Manchester United. Even though the lad wants to be allowed to follow his dreams to Spain, Manchester United will always be a club close to his heart and for that reason alone a move to City is more than unlikely; it’s impossible.
More that may interest you
- Ronaldo to Real Madrid, come on, we’ll give you £220,000 a week- City bigger than United? Not even close says Ryan Giggs
- Ronaldo explains summer fling with Real. Can we please move on now?
- Are the Glazers ready to do business over Ronaldo?
Discussion
One person has said their bit on “Manchester City line up £136 million deal for Cristiano Ronaldo – Cha-ching!”
I hate to say it but I think the Glazers would seriously consider a bid of such volume. Not sure Ronny would fancy a move to city, like you say, its hardly closer to his family.