Ronaldo fuels exit speculation as Evra reveals United’s interest for return

Simon Foster 09:19 02/11/2015
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  • Anything can happen: Cristiano Ronaldo is unsure of what his future holds.

    Cristiano Ronaldo is non-committal over his future at Real Madrid, while Patrice Evra has claimed the Portuguese was close to re-joining Manchester United two years ago.

    Ronaldo is under contract at the Bernabeu until 2018 but turns 31 in February and there have been suggestions he could seek a fresh challenge at Paris Saint-Germain or a return to Old Trafford.

    In an interview published in Britain’s Sunday Times yesterday, Evra, now of Juventus but a United team-mate of Ronaldo’s for three-and-a-half seasons claimed Sir Alex Ferguson was “99 per cent” sure a deal was close to being concluded as the 2012-13 season drew to a close.

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    Following United’s exit in the Champions League at the hands of Madrid, Evra said: “He (Ferguson) even told me: ‘99 per cent, Cristiano Ronaldo will come.’ 

    “I was like: ‘Wow, we are ready to bounce back and to even win the Champions League again.’”

    When asked about his future at Madrid yesterday, Ronaldo told Spanish news agenct Efe: “At this moment, I’m happy playing for Real Madrid but I don’t know what will happen in my future. I must choose the way that makes me happy.”

    Ronaldo earns around ¤20.8m a year, meaning only a select group of clubs could realistically afford him. 

    PSG have tried in the past and would surely again, owners QSI consistently in the market for a marquee signing, while agent Jorge Mendes is aware the Parisians would be willing to exceed his Real wages beyond 2018.

    In terms of the Premier League, Ronaldo’s affiliation to United means it is unlikely Chelsea or Manchester City could persuade him to move anywhere else other than Old Trafford. 

    However, bad blood between the clubs over the bungled David De Gea switch to the Spanish capital in August could derail United’s hopes. 

    Ronaldo is in contention for a fourth Ballon d’Or in January but looks set to lose out to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi after a trophyless season in 2014-15 and a slower than expected start to this campaign. 

    He did, though, become Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer, overtaking Raul, and has an impressive 13 goals in 13 games in all competitions but has failed to match performances of previous years.

    Meanwhile, Gareth Bale has returned to training, having not featured since the win over Levante in mid-October with a calf problem.

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