Ronaldo return may actually happen

By on September 25, 2014

It goes without doubt that every summer until it happens there will be rumors of Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United, and has been just a few seasons after he made his original move away from United. The transfer market and sunday papers are almost not themselves without it. Originally it was simply stuff of the tabloids, however, every year gone by it has gained credibility. Namely, because it is increasingly likely it will happen. As Ronaldo gets closer and closer to losing the majority of his market value by hitting the age of thirty, The Guardian reports that Madrid are ready to cash out on what was their then world record breaking signing in 2009. The Guardian are more than a trustworthy source, and even without that report there is more than enough evidence to suggest that a move away from Madrid for Ronaldo is imminent.

This summer, Louis Van Gaal admitted he would be interested in signing Ronaldo. Ronny, in turn said that had he been in charge of Madrid would have “done things differently” in regard to their recent transfer dealings, and could well possibly follow Angel Di Maria to United. It doesn’t even have to be United whom he moves to – Mesut Ozil went to Arsenal – however, Manchester CIty are reportedly disinterested, Ronaldo’s relationship with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is next to none, Bayern Munich may well not be interested and if so would be a stretch to pay for the luxury, it would be hard to see him choosing to join Paris Saint-Germain because of the lack of star names in Ligue 1, Barcelona is obviously out of the question, and, well, it is simply hard to see him following Ozil to Arsenal. United are one of the few, in not only, real option.

Van Gaal has claimed United’s spending spree will not continue in January, but a more next summer also makes financial sense for Madrid. He would be sold for a considerable refund for the previous world record transfer fee Madrid payed for him, reportedly around £60 million, a price tag that would drop considerably were he to remain at Real for another season – even he ages. Ronaldo would have to take a considerable pay cut due to England’s high earners tax, but that would be true at any club he will join considering the deal he signed last September makes him the highest earner in the sport.

Furthermore, Madrid and United are more or less trading partners. Since Ronaldo’s move in 2009 a gateway has opened between the two clubs, and just this summer Chicharito joined Madrid on loan and Di Maria wet the other way. United currently have Falcao, who looked almost certain to join Madrid over the summer, on loan with an option to turn the deal permanent at the end of the season, and may well acts as a makeweight for Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s shirt sales have undoubtedly slowed, and as every season passes, while he may not drop in quality or importance to Madrid, becomes less of a “Galactico”. It seems that, if possible, Madrid are no longer as excited about him – almost viewing him as an ever-present. The club have in shirt sales alone recoup the investment they made in him, and as the Guardian claimed, are in debt and ready for that one last big pay-off on him. He has already won what he undoubtedly joined the club to lift, La Decima. Now, he is at another stage of his career and is probably ready to move on.

Should he return to England, the excitement over it will blow up. He will become a Galactico again in a United side that on paper should be one of the best in the world (when they add a center-back, that is). Next summer may well be the year the tabloids actually get it right.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.