Ronaldo could join Beckham's Inter Miami in January transfer
FT Desk
- 9 Oct 2022 08:48 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo might finally have a way out of Manchester United that suits all parties, with David Beckham ready to sanction a transfer bid for Inter Miami.
Ronaldo has been itching to leave Man Utd since they failed to qualify for the Champions League at the end of last season, but no meaningful bids materialised.
Things have gone from bad to worse since, with Erik ten Hag largely relegating him to the bench. The Portuguese attacker has been getting his game in the Europa League, where he has scored and assisted, but he is without a goal in the Premier League in six appearances - only one of them a start.
What did Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady talk about?
Wrong answers only 👇pic.twitter.com/5MogidRLbW— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 13, 2022
Atletico Madrid were among those to looks at Ronaldo this summer, but they were unable to match his €17 million asking price. There was a bumper bid from Saudi Arabia which United and Ronaldo both turned down, but Miami have a United old boys' network, and a move there could suit him.
"The MLS outfit, owned by former United superstar David Beckham, are willing to pay the Portuguese ace a whopping £30 million [€34.15m] annually to lure him to the United States next year," report the Daily Star. "Miami's top foreigner Gonzalo Higuain announced last week he is calling time on his glittering career.
Designated player spot
"The Argentinian's retirement at the end of the current MLS campaign will automatically free up space for the possible arrival of Ronaldo, who is a regular visitor to the Florida area. The one condition to that mega switch is that Miami, coached by Phil Neville, bag Ronaldo, 37, on a free transfer."
Ronaldo's contract expires next summer and he remains one of the most marketable athletes in the world, so Inter will have to stump up around €10m in January or wait until next summer to get their man.
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Ronaldo inherited Beckham's No.7 jersey in his first spell at United before leaving in a €94m deal to Real Madrid in 2009, making the same move as the former England captain had six years earlier. Beckham remains a fan.
"Obviously Cristiano is one of the best players over the last 15 years, with Leo [Messi]," he told Sky Sports in May. "To see him stay on, hopefully at United, is important for the fans."
But that particular ship seems to have sailed, and Ronaldo to Miami now seems to be on.
