Ronaldo, Neymar, Griezmann for sale – the summer transfer market could soon explode

Robin Bairner

23 Jul 2022 21:59 BST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Brentford v Man Utd, 2021-22 — © ProShots

The 2022 summer transfer window could be on the verge of a succession of massive deals with the news that Atletico Madrid are ready to fund a transfer for Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo by the sale of Antoine Griezmann.

Article continues under the video

Strictly speaking, it is not Griezmann’s transfer fee that Atleti need – it’s his large wages off the books that they require to make the signing of Ronaldo possible, according to a report in The Times.

It means that three of football’s biggest stars of recent years find themselves eligible for transfer. Ronaldo has put himself in the shop window because of his displeasure at Man Utd’s lack of competitiveness, PSG want to move Neymar on due to his large wages and Griezmann is set to be the collateral damage in Madrid as Atleti seek to swoop for CR7.

Although there are no suitors immediately forthcoming for any of these players, if one of these potentially huge deals gets done, it could set in motion a domino effect as teams seek to fill up their rosters before the transfer deadline with world-class talent.

Will a solution be found?

The news that Ronaldo is willing to take a 30% pay cut to move to a more competitive side could be an important factor in breaking the logjam that has formed.

Griezmann, though, is equally problematic. Since leaving Atleti in 2019 to join Barcelona in a €120 million deal, he has failed to come close to his best form. The side from the Wanda Metropolitano might have hoped that PSG would be willing to take a gamble on the France international hero, but this apparently will not be the case.

© ProShots - Griezmann is emerging as the keystone of the summer transfer market

Should Atleti find a buyer for Griezmann, who is technically in the midst of a two-year loan from Barcelona that has a €40m compulsory purchase aspect to it, then everything could happen fast.

Room would be made for Ronaldo in the Spanish capital and who’s to say that Man Utd wouldn’t turn to Neymar to help fill the void given the superstar status and thrilling attacking style he possesses? Certainly, it is one of the few destinations that could suit the Brazil star.

The tinder is set for the transfer market to really ignite, now it just needs a spark.