Expert gives two key reasons why Man United in pole position to sign superstar
Manchester United have the financial resources to complete a deal to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, according to Esteve Calzada
Manchester United have the financial might to complete a deal to sign Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, according to football marketing expert Esteve Calzada.
Ronaldo is thought to have informed the Champions League holders of his desire to leave Spain this summer, which has inevitably alerted some of Europe’s top clubs to the possibility of signing the 32-year-old.
The Portugal international moved to Real Madrid in a then-world record £80m deal from Manchester United in the 2009 summer transfer window after a decorated six-year stay at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson.
His compatriot Jose Mourinho is currently in charge of the 20-time English champions and the manager shares the same super agent as Ronaldo – Jorge Mendes – which could prove crucial in any potential deal involving Ronaldo, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Calzada believes Manchester United have space on their books to accommodate Ronaldo’s wages following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s release earlier this month.
The football marketing expert has also pointed to their return to the Champions League as another factor in a potential deal to re-sign Ronaldo.
“If there is a team who can finance it, it is of course Manchester United, even though he would make more of an impact in other teams that wouldn’t have such an impressive commercial appeal,” Calzada told Sky Sports.
“If you look at the Manchester United numbers and you take into account that for instance they will save the big salary of (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic, they will be back in the Champions League, which is obviously coming with a lot of money and a lot of additional games.
“Definitely United would be in a position to afford this deal.
“I guess maybe the fact it maybe comes so obvious that he wants to leave the club, it can help to maybe drive the price down.”
