Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Latest on Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric

With the Premier League season just two weeks in the offing, Manchester United are going to have quite the interesting training session.

David Moyes' first dip into the summer transfer market with United has been a bit underwhelming. The former Everton boss has yet to make a big wave, either selling or signing, and the days continue barreling toward the deadline without much tangible news.

United have reportedly been in on a ton of top talent from around the world, only to see themselves priced out or simply walk away from the negotiating table.

But if the rumor mill is any indication, Moyes might have some stuff coming down the pike—possibly before training concludes for the Red Devils' first match of the season.

The Wayne Rooney situation continues looming large. There is no clear answer to whether the longtime United standout will be playing at Old Trafford or elsewhere, but we're starting to get a good idea of how Rooney will decide.

John Edwards of the Daily Mail has reported that Rooney will allow the fan reaction to decide whether he comes or goes, and your guess is as good as mine as to what that will be. Rooney used to be one of the most beloved players on United's roster. But what happens now?

Nevertheless, the story most fans want to follow is that of the arrivals—not the departures. Moyes has been active in trying to get some notable faces for an Old Trafford push for a repeat Premier League title, but has been as to yet unsuccessful. 

Who is the United manager targeting as the window draws to a close? Well, let's just say he's not going for singles. Here is a quick look at the latest transfer rumors for the Red Devils.

£80 Million Price for Cristiano Ronaldo?

The biggest ongoing negotiation in the transfer market is between Real Madrid and Tottenham for Welsh winger Gareth Bale. The two clubs have been in a staring contest since the beginning of the transfer window. 

Madrid are willing to back up multiple Brinks trucks worth of cash to send Spurs' way, but Tottenham's board has thus far balked at being the Spanish club's latest feeder system. But at this point Real have made it clear they're willing to pay any price—one so exorbitant that Bale's transfer feels like a mere formality at this point.

David Hytner of The Guardian reported that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called Los Blancos' £86 million bid for Bale a "joke," and that it makes a "mockery" of the system. And if that weren't enough, The Telegraph's John Percy noted that Real are even planning to up that figure to get the deal done.

The situation is baffling on more than one level—seriously, how haven't Tottenham jumped at that offer yet?—it begs one question over any else: from where is Real Madrid planning to get all this money? They may be the most powerful and wealthy club in the world, but even the flushest board has its limits. Someone has to go if Los Blancos land Bale.

Well, it looks like that possible transfer has drudged up one of the biggest pre-summer rumors. According to a Daily Star report (h/t The Guardian), Real Madrid and Manchester United are on the precipice of agreeing to an £80 million price for the 28-year-old forward. The deal would match the price Real paid to take Ronaldo away from Old Trafford—still a world record (for now)—back in 2009.

The Ronaldo-to-United rumors have been swirling since early last La Liga season. Ronaldo said that he was sad after an early-season match last September, sparking thoughts that his contract situation has weighed on him past the point of no return. While the Portuguese superstar played out this season and the relationship seemed to smooth over, that has not stopped talks that he's willing to make it work again at Old Trafford.

Nothing has come of this yet. And until Bale's transfer is complete, it's highly unlikely anything will. That said, even the potential of a Ronaldo return is enough to send fans into a tizzy. 

Luka Modric a United Target, Carlo Ancelotti Says It Won't Happen?

As the Premier League season draws closer without a major coup, it's understandable that United have begun exploring more secondary options. Moyes can dream of having Ronaldo as his first major transfer since becoming Alex Ferguson's replacement, but the reality of executing that transfer is far more difficult than anyone realizes.

United, despite dominating the Premier League last season, are a side very much in need of improvement. They need help especially in the midfield, where the Red Devils oftentimes struggled to hold consistent pacing and possession. It wouldn't send anyone into crisis mode if Moyes didn't land a midfielder—just possibly make them worry.

But of course the Red Devils aren't going to go through the transfer market without making a major addition. They've been open about their pursuit of midfield help throughout the summer, and may have landed on their latest of a laundry list of targets.

The Guardian's Georgina Turner noted that United have made a real effort at bringing Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric back to Premier League. The 27-year-old Croatian played for Spurs from 2008 to 2012 before moving to Real on a long-term contract for £33 million in transfer fees. In his first season in La Liga, Modric scored three goals and had as many assists.

Turner's report notes that £25 million is the offer on the table for Modric, though it's unclear whether United made it formally. 

Either way, it doesn't look like it will be happening. Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke on Moyes' potential bid for the Croatian midfielder this week, telling Express that there is no truth to the rumors.

“It is not true that Luka will leave. All the players are very happy to be here and working well,” Ancelotti said. "We have not spoken about any player leaving, it’s not true Modric will leave.”

Again, much of this likely rests on Madrid's pursuit of Bale. Should they land the summer's most notable transfer piece, perhaps Ancelotti's tune will change. It looks like it's back to the drawing board for Moyes until then, though.

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