‘Ronaldo and Osimhen transfer deal a non-starter’

Ben Jacobs

29 Aug 2022 14:52 BST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, 2022/23 — © ProShots

The prospect of Jorge Mendes blocking Manchester United’s move for Ajax star Antony and instead completing a transfer that might allow Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the club has been branded a “complete non-starter”.

Article continues under the video

A report in the Italian media on Monday suggested that the Portuguese agent was trying to block Man Utd’s Antony deal. In turn, he was encouraging the Red Devils to instead make a move for Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.

The implication was that by doing this, Napoli would recoup a huge amount of money and would also need to sign a centre-forward. That No.9, of course, would be Ronaldo, who has been linked with a possible move to Napoli for over a month after his desire to leave Man Utd became clear.

Ronaldo to Napoli?
Osimhen to Man Utd?
Antony derailed?@jacobsben from @cbssportsgolazo has the inside scoop 👇 pic.twitter.com/oEoQReaz9D
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 29, 2022

Mendes powerless to prevent Man Utd’s Antony deal

However, CBS transfer expert Ben Jacobs believes that there is no prospect of Mendes derailing Man Utd’s €100 million deal for the Brazil international, telling FootballTransfers that the prospect of this is a “non-starter”.

“I don’t see in the context of Manchester United, Mendes having any authority, any ability, any likelihood of getting the club to pull out of the Antony deal,” he said.

In any case, it is explained that Ronaldo is not sold on the idea of going to Napoli in any case. And indeed, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner does not want to move to Sporting CP either, as he wants to remain at a club that is playing in the Big 5 leagues.

Furthermore, Man Utd are unlikely to target Osimhen as an option in the closing days of the window. The reasons for this are simple: the type of money that it would require to sign the player is far too great for the club to consider, while the Nigeria international striker has already made it clear that he does not want to depart the Serie A side this summer.

Ronaldo, then, looks destined to stay at Manchester United for the time being.

Read more about: Eredivisie, Ligue 1, Premier League, Ajax, Man Utd, Napoli, Antony, Cristiano Ronaldo, Victor Osimhen