Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo have been reportedly faced with a major dilemma after a huge offer from an undisclosed club in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese attacker has made it clear that he wants to leave Old Trafford this summer and has yet to sign up for preseason education, because they have been given a longer period of time off for ‘family reasons’.
A host of clubs have been linked with the 37-year-old’s moves, including Premier League rivals ChelseaGerman giants Bayern Munich, first club Sporting Lisbon and Italian side Roma.
United, however, are adamant they don’t want to sell their top scorer, as new boss Erik ten Hag planned to have the attacker in his roster.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s motivation to leave United is rooted in his desire to compete for silverware and play in the Champions League.
But now, according to CNN PortugalRonaldo has received a huge offer from Saudi Arabia that would make him the highest paid player in history, but he would have to give up European football.
The offer, which is likely to be funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, would see Ronaldo earn an absolutely dazzling €250 million (£211 million) over two seasons.
That would work out to just over £105 million a season in the Saudi Pro League, or £2 million a week – more than five times what he currently earns at Old Trafford.
The offer is absolutely unprecedented and it would certainly take a salary of that magnitude to convince Ronaldo to walk away from European football while still believing he can add more titles and accolades to his collection.
While United do not want to let Ronaldo leave, there have been suggestions that stance could ease if they were given significant compensation for the veteran striker.
The Red Devils would at least like to receive compensation equivalent to what they paid to Juventus last summer – that was £12.9million upfront plus various surcharges which could amount to £19.5million.
The unnamed Saudi Arabian club is actually poised to offer more than that, with a £25million bid being prepared.
As part of the transfer, Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, would also receive around £17 million in what could be one of the biggest paydays – and most surprising transfers – in modern football history.
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