Deal Ready – Cristiano Ronaldo swap deal emerges as Diego Simeone outlines transfer demand

Following transfer comments from Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, Cristiano Ronaldo may finally be permitted to leave Manchester United.

Ronaldo is determined to leave United this summer after only one season at Old Trafford following his high-profile comeback from Juventus last summer after a 12-year absence. He has been seeking to force a transfer for two months, but no deal has been completed with only 10 days remaining in the transfer window.

The 37-year-old came in as a second-half replacement in the Premier League opener against Brighton because he was assessed insufficiently fit to start. In the following game, he was reinstated to the starting lineup for the humiliating four-goal defeat against Brentford. Ronaldo turned down a request from the club’s assistant coach, Steve McClaren, to greet the visiting United fans after the game, demonstrating the club’s disillusionment.

Ronaldo’s potential destinations are restricted, with Atletico Madrid a serious contender for his signing. Despite his links with Real Madrid, where he is the all-time club goal scorer with 450 goals in 438 appearances, the Portuguese superstar is open to joining their city rivals.

Atleti fans have opposed the potential signing, but that hasn’t deterred manager Diego Simeone, who would love for the team to sign a player he has always liked. Simeone feels Ronaldo will have a similar influence to Luis Suarez, who joined from Barcelona in 2020 and led them to the league title in his rookie season.

Simeone wants Ronaldo so badly that he has been dubbed his “dream” acquisition, and the Spanish club would allow at least one forward to join United under a separate agreement. Despite Suarez’s departure this summer, Atleti have a strong offense with Alvaro Morata joining Angel Correa, Matheus Cunha, Joao Felix, and Antoine Griezmann.

Cunha, Felix, and Morata’s futures have received the most attention, with all three players linked to Manchester United. The English club is hoping to sign at least one central offensive player to compete with Anthony Martial, the club’s sole recognized senior striker if Ronaldo is allowed to depart.

Atletico Madrid are not only well-stocked in attack, but the club’s financial predicament may force them to sell at least one star forward in the last days of the transfer window. United’s desire to recruit an attacker might result in a surprise late swap deal, as the Spanish club’s manager has intimated.

Simeone stated in a press conference following Atleti’s 2-0 loss to Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday, “I am here to work (with the players at the club) and not to ask questions” (for more signings). We have a really well-rounded team. Hopefully, we can keep doing what we’re doing, and if one player leaves the club, another one comes in.”