Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been offered a whopping £275 million to play in Saudi Arabia on the same day his current club Manchester United defeated Melbourne Victory 4-1 in a pre-season friendly in Australia.
United have been offered a £30m transfer fee, according to BBC Sport, but Ronaldo is not thought to be interested in leaving Europe at the moment, instead keen on playing in the UEFA Champions League.
United will be in the UEFA Europa League in the new season, therefore they cannot offer Ronaldo the Champions League football he desires.
The club are said to be unsure if the Portugal captain will return to pre-season training as the side continue their preparations for the new campaign under new manager Erik ten Hag.
It was reported yesterday that Chelsea were no longer interested in signing the 37-year-old, which has reduced his options away from United.
BBC Sport claimed that the Portugal forward would likely reject the huge offer to play in Saudi Arabia because he wants to keep playing at the highest possible level.
The offer was £30m to United and around £275m for Ronaldo, while Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are believed to remain possibilities for the former Real Madrid player, who could also still stay at United.
Meanwhile, United came from one goal down to record a dominant 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.
The Australian hosts took a shock lead in the fifth minute when Chris Ikonomidis swept home a low cross from the winger with Nigerian heritage, Gbenga Folami, on the breakaway.
United eventually found the equaliser their total dominance deserved in the 43rd minute when Scott McTominay’s shot was deflected into the Melbourne Victory net.
Two minutes later, it was 2-1 to the visitors as Anthony Martial struck from close range after neat approach play.
Ten Hag made 10 changes at half-time, leaving only goalkeeper Tom Heaton on, but United remained in control.
Eric Bailly broke from central defence to set up Marcus Rashford for United’s third goal in the 78th minute, while Edmund Lupancu turned the ball into his own net from Tahith Chong’s cross in the 89th minute.
It was United’s second straight pre-season friendly win after the 4-0 victory over Liverpool in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday.
