Manchester United have agreed a sensational deal for superstar player Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the club, 12 years after he departed for Real Madrid.
The 36-year-old is set to return to Old Trafford for a £12.8million fee which could rise to £19.4million with add-ons after the club stepped in following the collapse of his talks with their fierce rivals Manchester City.
United said the deal was subject to the agreement of personal terms, visa and a medical, which is being carried out in Lisbon. He will reportedly earn a salary of £480,000-a-week, making him by far the highest earner at United.
Ronaldo scored 118 goals during six seasons in Manchester between 2003 and 2009, helping the club under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson win three Premier League titles, a Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
A club statement said: ‘Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester.’
City were offered the 36-year-old Portuguese star, who had made it clear he wanted to leave Juventus, and were considered front-runners for his signature but decided the deal was not one they wished to pursue.
The move will be a kick in the teeth for City manager Pep Guardiola, who only days ago saw his pursuit of Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane come to an end.
Manchester United have agreed a sensational deal for superstar player Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the club, 12 years after he departed for Real Madrid. Above: The star with his long-term girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez
United said the deal was subject to the agreement of personal terms, visa and a medical, which is being carried out in Lisbon. He will reportedly earn a salary of £480,000-a-week, making him by far the highest earner at United. Above: Ronaldo was pictured arriving in the Portuguese capital on Friday afternoon
Ronaldo scored 118 goals during six seasons in Manchester between 2003 and 2009, helping the club under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson win three Premier League titles, a Champions League , the FIFA Club World Cup, two League Cups and one FA Cup
United appeared to become an option when manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer held a press conference on Friday afternoon and said their former star ‘knows that we’re here’.
Solskjaer added that United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been talking to his compatriot Ronaldo.
Asked why Ronaldo had supposedly been heading to the Etihad instead of Old Trafford, Solskjaer said: ‘I didn’t think Cristiano was going to turn out leaving Juventus.
‘It’s been speculation this morning, speculation the last few days, of course.
‘We’ve always had a good communication – I know Bruno (Fernandes) has been talking to him as well. He knows what we feel about him and if he was ever going to move away from Juventus, he knows that we’re here.
‘He’s such a tremendous human being as well, so let’s see what happens with Cristiano. Everyone who has played with him, I think, has a soft spot for him.’
Having missed out on Harry Kane, City did weigh up the possibility of signing Ronaldo, but came to the conclusion that the Portuguese was not the right fit for Pep Guardiola’s squad.
City were offered the 36-year-old Portuguese star, who had made it clear he wanted to leave Juventus, and were considered front-runners for his signature but decided the deal was not one they wished to pursue. The move will be a kick in the teeth for City manager Pep Guardiola, who only days ago saw his pursuit of Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane come to an end
Ronaldo joined United in 2003 and had six hugely successful years in Manchester before he left for Real Madrid for a then world record £80million
A club statement said: ‘Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester’. Above: A tweet from Manchester United’s official Twitter account simply read, ‘Welcome home, @Cristiano’
Speaking at a press conference ahead of his side’s game with Arsenal on Saturday, Guardiola had been reluctant to be drawn on the subject.
‘I cannot say much,’ the City manager said. ‘Harry Kane announced he is continuing with his club, an exceptional club like Tottenham. Cristiano is a Juventus player, I cannot add anything else.
‘In these three or four days left until the transfer window shuts anything can happen, but, in my view, there are few players – Cristiano Ronaldo included, (Lionel) Messi is another – they decide where they are going to play.
‘I say the same, Cristiano will decide where he wants to play, not Man City or myself. Right now it seems far, far away.’
Ronaldo had earlier told Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri that he felt his future lay elsewhere.
‘Yesterday, Cristiano told me that he no longer has any intention to play for Juventus. For this reason he will not be called up for tomorrow’s game,’ Allegri said at a press conference ahead of the club’s Serie A match against Empoli in quotes posted on the official Juventus Twitter account.
‘Cristiano is to be thanked for what he has done, also as an example amongst the youngsters. But as I said, we must go on.
‘Things change, it’s a law of life. Juventus remains, which is the most important thing. Cristiano gave his contribution, he made himself available, now he leaves and life goes on.’
According the Manchester Evening News, United offered Ronaldo a contract on Friday morning following a late intervention from former United boss Sir Alex, who spoke to Ronaldo about the plans regarding his future.
The Times’s chief football writer Henry Winter told the BBC: ‘It’s great news for Manchester United, great news for English football and great news for anyone who looks at an individual who just works, who gives everything, who in training was there an hour before most players reported for training; who would be practising his dribbling; who would be working with extra weights on his ankles so that he could withstand the challenges.
‘So yes, there is an element of romanticism but also this is a professional who has worked hard, and what a great role model he is.’
As well as the possible City move, Ronaldo had also been linked with a stunning move to French giants Paris Saint Germain, who recently signed Argentine superstar Lionel Messi from Barcelona.
Ronaldo fuelled speculation about a possible summer exit in May, when his fleet of seven super cars were pictured being transported away from the garage of his luxury home in Turin.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opened up on Manchester United’s effort to sign Cristiano Ronaldo at his press conference on Friday afternoon
Juventus Massimiliano Allegri yesterday confirmed that Ronaldo had played his last game for the Italian club, which he joined from Real Madrid in 2018
Ronaldo and Solskjaer were team-mates at United during the Portugal star’s hugely successful time at the club
Ronaldo and Ms Rodriguez have one child together, daughter Alana Martin, who was born in 2017. Twins Eva and Mateo were born via a surrogate mother the same year. The identity of the mother of his eldest son, Cristiano Jr, 11, has never been revealed. Above: The family together earlier this year
Ronaldo was previously in a relationship with Russian model and actress Irena Shayk. The pair were together from 2009 until 2015. Above: The former couple at the Spanish league awards in Madrid in 2014
Among his £6million collection are two Bugattis, a Bentley, a Porsche 911 and a Ferrari.
The cars’ arrival in the Italian city in 2018 gave the earliest indication of his transfer to Juventus. It is not clear if the player will now have his cars brought to the UK.
Ronaldo will also now be on the hunt for a place to live in Manchester.
He sold his original five-bedroom home in the Alderley Edge area of the city two years ago for £3.25million.
Its large swimming pool, hot tub and steam room, as well as a gym, cinema and games room would likely have been ideal for his unlikely comeback.
Since 2014 until it was sold, the home was lived in by United and England defender Luke Shaw, who will now be playing with his former landlord.
It is not yet clear if the player will be joined in Manchester by his long-term girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez or his children. The couple have one child together, daughter Alana Martin, who was born in 2017.
Twins Eva and Mateo were born via a surrogate mother the same year. The identity of the mother of his eldest son, Cristiano Jr, 11, has never been revealed.
Ronaldo’s Turin villa is not owned by the star. The house, a short drive out of the city, is a minimalist modern structure with large windows and exposed iron fittings.
The eight-bedroom property is tucked away in a leafy enclave, perfect for someone who values privacy.
The compound in fact contains two homes. Ronaldo lived in the upper part with Ms Rodriguez and his children, whilst his staff lived in the lower lodgings.
The player, who is well-known for his dedication to his fitness and skills on the pitch, also had a personal chef, nutritionist and physiotherapist who are all likely to now be on hand in Manchester.
As well as being world-beating on the pitch, Ronaldo also has a range of business ventures, including a chain of ‘CR7’ hotels, which are dotted around the globe.
According to Forbes Magazine, the star is worth an estimated $120million (£88million).
Ronaldo will now be on the hunt for a place to live in Manchester. He sold his original five-bedroom home in the Alderley Edge area of the city two years ago for £3.25million
Ronaldo fuelled speculation about a possible summer exit in May, when his fleet of seven super cars were pictured being transported away from the garage of his luxury home in Turin
Among his £6million collection are two Bugattis, a Bentley, a Porsche 911 and a Ferrari. Above: The star outside his current villa in Turin
Stunning: The Portuguese star also owns this Bugatti Veyron, which has a top speed of 253mph
Ronaldo also owns a £7 million home on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Above: The star in the home with his son Cristiano Jr and twins Eva and Mateo
Ronaldo began his career at Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, before he was signed by Sir Alex in 2003 at the age of 18 for £12million.
After a hugely successful six-season stint at United, Ronaldo was signed by Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world record transfer fee of £80million.
During his stint in Spain, the player scored an astonishing 311 goals in 292 appearances and won a host of honours including two domestic titles and the Champions League four times.
He then departed for Juventus for a fee of £88 in 2018. In his three-year stint at the club, Ronaldo scored 81 goals in 98 appearances and main domestic competition Serie A twice.
On Friday, United players took to social media to welcoming Ronaldo back to the club he joined in 2003 and where he spent six successful seasons.
Bruno Fernandes, who reportedly spoke to his Portugal teammate about returning to United, tweeted: ”Agent Bruno’?’ alongside emojis of a briefcase and a face with tears of joy. He added: ‘Welcome back home Cristiano’.
United’s summer signing Jadon Sancho simply tweeted: ‘SCARY HOURS!’, while Marcus Rashford said: ‘Wow wow wow, he’s home’, Jesse Lingard added: ‘VIVA RONALDOOO!!!!’ while Raphael Varane and David De Gea also posted messages.
According the Manchester Evening News , United offered Ronaldo a contract on Friday morning following a late intervention from former United boss Sir Alex, who spoke to Ronaldo about the plans regarding his future. Above: Ronaldo shakes hands with Sir Alex shortly after signing for United in 2003
Roy Keane, who was United captain when the club first signed Ronaldo, wrote on Instagram: ‘Welcome back Cristiano’, while Edwin van der Sar wrote on his social media account: ‘How are you feeling @manchesterunited fans? Always dreamt but never expected that it would happen! Welcome back in Manchester @cristiano’.
Gary Neville, another former teammate, called it ‘fantastic news’ and admitted that it would have been ‘torture’ for United fans to see him join neighbours Manchester City, who were initially front-runners to sign the five-time world player of the year.
Neville told Sky Sports: ‘It’s fantastic news. A little bit nostalgic and nostalgia doesn’t always work in football, it kicks you sometimes when you don’t expect it.
‘The idea of him going to City was torture for United fans. If there is a big player available United have to be in the market for that player.
‘What they’ve done is bolster the squad with a proven goalscorer, a club legend. He will score goals and give them brilliant moments.
‘It will give the club an incredible 12 months and United fans are going to be absolutely rocking to see one of their own come back and play.’
Ronaldo made his sparkling debut (above) for Manchester United in a match against Bolton Wanderers in August 2003
Neville, who made fun of fellow Sky pundit Jamie Carragher in an Instagram post welcoming back Ronaldo, believes the acquisition could transform United’s season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side slipped up in a 1-1 draw at Southampton last weekend.
‘This could give them a temporary shot in the arm that would potentially get them right up there this year,’ Neville said.
‘This news gives me more hope that United could have a great season because this is one of the most special players who has ever played the game of football.
‘He’ll play regularly as a number nine and I’m sure they’ll put legs around him.
‘Cristiano will be coming to win trophies, personal accolades and set the Premier League on fire.
‘It is a different Cristiano Ronaldo but he’s someone who still has those bursts of speed over short spaces that will cause problems.
‘He makes great runs inside the box and has the anticipation where the ball is going to drop, so he will give Manchester United something that they need.’
As well as being world-beating on the pitch, Ronaldo also has a range of business ventures, including a chain of ‘CR7’ hotels, which are dotted around the globe. His most recent venture (above) opened in New York’s Times Square in July
‘Tell me you’re lying – I KNOW you ain’t going there’: Rio Ferdinand phoned Cristiano Ronaldo as soon as he saw Man City links and pleaded with him not to go… but insists he’d have RESPECTED a move so long as he didn’t choose them over United
Jack Bezants and Daniel Davis for MailOnline
Rio Ferdinand revealed he got straight on the phone to Cristiano Ronaldo as soon as he learned of his links to Manchester City.
Ronaldo looked destined for a move to the blue half of Manchester until Friday afternoon, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer openly talked up the prospects of him returning to Old Trafford before City withdrew their interest.
United then sensationally confirmed the transfer on Friday afternoon, saying: ‘Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester.’
Ferdinand explained that Ronaldo’s head ‘was all over the place’ earlier in the week as he looked to sort out his future away from Juventus in what has been a whirlwind couple of days for the Portugal star.
Rio Ferdinand revealed he called up Cristiano Ronaldo about his links to Manchester City
‘I rang him straight away,’ Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel. ‘I said ‘what is going on? Tell me you’re lying.’
‘At that time, we were seeing in the media and I don’t think City had bid but conversations were being had and City were showing their hand.
‘You can’t sit here and go ‘it weren’t happening’ – there is no smoke without fire. (I said to Ronaldo) ‘tell me you ain’t going there , tell me – I know you ain’t going there’. I’ve got it on my phone. I was trying to get every type of ‘no, no, no, no, no’ in the conversation.
‘I’m like all the fans, exactly the same. I was like ‘can you speak? Let me speak to you quickly’. I don’t want my kids seeing Ronaldo run out in a Manchester City kit.
‘I think the main thing is head was all over the place. There was never any point, after the initial scare, that my heart rate got to those levels again.’
Ferdinand said he felt much calmer after speaking to Ronaldo about his next move
United have since confirmed Ronaldo’s return, subject to a medical and personal terms
For all the fears among United fans that Ronaldo was going to be turning out in Manchester blue, Ferdinand explained that there was a circumstance where he would have been prepared to accept Ronaldo at City.
‘The players do respect and understand the fans but at the same time it is a business,’ Ferdinand said. ‘Players have to be business-minded about this situation.
‘And at the end of the day, if City are in for Ronaldo that has to be looked at. That is a fact. If they are the only club in for Ronaldo that can buy him and get in that ball-park then as an ex-United player and team-mate of Ronaldo’s, I’d respect that.
‘I wouldn’t like it, I’d been going crazy like any fan but at the end of the day what do you want him to do?
‘The difference is if Man United are at the table and City are at the table and then he chose to go to City. That’s when you are in your rights to be peed off.
‘I know for a fact if United come to the table talking about Ronaldo and you have other teams sitting there, his head ain’t getting turned. He’s not that type of guy. He understands and respects his legacy.’
Ferdinand spoke on how he thinks Sir Alex Ferguson would have felt about Ronaldo at City
Ferdinand was quizzed on what Sir Alex Ferguson would have thought about Ronaldo joining City.
‘Everything I just said,’ Ferdinand replied. ‘He would have hated to see Ronaldo in a Manchester City shirt, just like any other person connected for a long time at this football club.
United supporters, meanwhile, have lauded ‘agent’ Ferdinand after their former defender appeared to confirm Ronaldo was set for an emotional return.
And Ferdinand looked to have been ahead of the news from the start, having posted a cryptic tweet which immediately sparked a wild reaction online.
After it surfaced that United are closing in on the superstar, he followed up his first post with a video showing him breaking into an all-knowing and cheeky grin.
Ferdinand posted a video of him grinning after teasing Ronaldo’s Manchester United reunion
In the replies, United fans have, unsurprisingly, been reduced to hysterics with many pleading for Ferdinand to be recognised for any part he has played in the move.
‘Rio Ferdinand statute outside Old Trafford is needed right now,’ one user has said.
‘Agent Rio I love you forever,’ another added.
England cricketer Sam Billings also used the same moniker for Ferdinand, writing: ‘Agent Rio… never in doubt!’
YouTuber Yung Chip, meanwhile, simply said: ‘I love you’.
An initial cryptic tweet from Ferdinand on Friday morning had sent United fans into meltdown
United supporters even jokingly called for Ferdinand to have a statue built outside Old Trafford
The praise kept on coming, with a fifth user posting: ‘I am crying my heart out.’
‘You really got us [Raphael] Varane and Ronaldo in this window ffs, how can we repay you?’ another supporter wrote.
A seventh cheekily said: ‘Best defending of your career was tackling that ridiculous City move.’
‘You personally called him, didn’t you?’ another overawed fan asked.
Another stunned fan admitted they were ‘crying their heart out’ with Ronaldo set to come back
Ronaldo waved goodbye to his Juventus team-mates with a brief 40-minute trip to their training ground today, when it had appeared that a switch to City beckoned.
Heading across to join the blue half of Manchester threatened to mar the memories from Ronaldo’s first spell at United, but City have now pulled out.
Before that explosively broke into the public eye, Ferdinand tweeted a picture of Leonardo Di Caprio from the 2013 film The Great Gatsby.
His agent, Jorge Mendes, was in talks with City, but Juventus wanting £25million to green light the move threatened to be a stumbling block.
Ronaldo arrived at the Juventus training ground at 9:20am on Friday morning to bid farewell
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer publicly admitted United were interested in a reunion in his Friday press conference.
‘Ronaldo is a legend of the club, and the greatest player of all time, if you ask me,’ said the United boss. ‘I didn’t think he’d leave Juventus.
‘We’ve always had a good communication and I know Bruno (Fernandes) has been talking to him.
‘He knows what we feel about him. If he was ever going to move away from Juventus, he knows we’re here.
Ronaldo has officially told Juventus of his desire to leave but his club are holding out for a fee
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that United were interested in Ronaldo in his press conference
‘When you are Messi, Ronaldo, Pogba or Bruno, you have to read a lot about yourself. Let’s see what happens with Cristiano, because he is a legend of this club.
‘I don’t want to speculate too much on Cristiano. We focus on the ones we have here.
‘I’ve said many times, when you’re Man United or (Lionel) Messi, Ronaldo you read a lot about yourself.
‘I was fortunate to play with him and coach him. Everyone who has played with him has a soft spot for him.’