A frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Real Madrid before the end of the month, a source close to the player has revealed.
Ronaldo is currently serving a five match ban for his ill-tempered reaction to being sent off in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana this month — a decision he branded “incomprehensible ” this week.
“For now, he’s just concentrating on playing , ” the source was quoted as saying in the Manchester Evening News.
“He is angry about the five-game ban, but he is working just as hard with the team. However, we cannot guarantee whether he will stay or leave.
“We ’ll see what happens in between now and August 31.”
A return to Manchester United is believed to be the most likely destination for the four-time Ballon d’Or winner. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s father Jorge has met with Manchester City representatives to discuss a possible move for his son to the Etihad, newspapers in the UK reportedthis week.
Jorge Messi met City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain, who was at Barcelonauntil 2012 to talk through a possible move. With Messi stalling on signing a new dealat the Nou Camp, City could potentially snap up the Argentine for nothing nextsummer when his current contract expires. There is also the option of them triggeringMessi ’s buyout clause, which is believed to be about £263-million.
City are thought to be the natural destination, given the player’s relationship with Begiristain and the club’s chief executive and fellow ex-Barca man Ferran Soriano. Itwas also manager Pep Guardiola who nurtured Messi from starlet into superstar as Barca manager from 2008 to 2012. City deny that they have made an offer for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Sticking with Barcelona, Yahoo Sport claims that Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho could make a public statement about his desire to join the Catalan club in order to try and force a move through. Elsewhere, Chelsea will attempt to forceLeicester City’s hand with a £32-million bid for want away midfielder Danny Drinkwater, according to one report.
Chelsea are also still hopeful of signing Ross Barkley for £25-million from Everton, and Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who according to The Telegraph has been the subject of a £35-million bid from the Blues...