Manchester United did not anticipate having to deal with speculation about Cristiano Ronaldo leaving, and the situation is hurting their transfer plans, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Old Trafford offered the 37-year-old a two-year contract with an additional year on the table, but he already wants to leave. Ronaldo does not want to play in the Europa League after United finished sixth in the Premier League last season.
Instead, he wants to play in the Champions League once more. However, it appears that his transfer market options are currently constrained.
Additionally, Erik ten Hag, the manager of Man Utd, insisted earlier this month that he is preparing for life with Ronaldo.
This summer, Ten Hag also intends to bring his own attacking reinforcements. An important target is Brazilian star Antony of Ajax.
However, Fabrizio Romano, a transfer expert, claims that United did not anticipate having to deal with Ronaldo’s desire to leave.
“My understanding earlier in the summer was that Man Utd would 100 per cent be in the market for a new central striker. They had an interest in Darwin Nunez before he went to Liverpool, but were unsure about the price.
“Since then, it’s certainly the case that the situation of Cristiano Ronaldo has surprised and slowed down Manchester United’s move of the new striker.”
Romano added that if he were in charge at Old Trafford, he would sign either Paulo Dybala or Jonathan David.
Since then, Dybala has signed a three-year contract with Roma after leaving free agency. While still only 22, Canadian international David scored 19 goals in 47 games for Lille the previous season.
