Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Cristiano Ronaldo and Top Targets
Cristiano Ronaldo is a rumour that just won't go away at Old Trafford, and recent developments have seen both fans and managers alike doing their best to convince the former Red Devil to make his return.
Real Madrid's golden boy isn't the only prized target on Louis van Gaal's radar, however, and with January bringing about the next window of opportunity, the Dutchman has an array of options in sight.
We provide all the latest speculation concerning those linked with a move to Manchester United as the club continue the pledge to return to their former glory.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Sir Alex Ferguson may be departed from his place at the club's helm, but the ex-United boss who brought Ronaldo to England in 2003 is still doing his bit to aid their cause in re-signing the 29-year-old.
According to agent Francois Gallardo, who was speaking to Le Sport 10 (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson) at the time, Ferguson has been in touch with his former prodigy to go about securing a comeback:
"On Wednesday Cristiano received a call from Ferguson [about returning to United]. He said he was happy at Real Madrid but the whole transfer depends on Jorge Mendes."
The report also includes images of the banner that was flown over El Madrigal as Real faced Villarreal on Saturday, showing just how eager some fans are to see their hero make his return.
Paul Sarahs paints a picture of just how unlikely he thinks the move is:
"Last RT: If Ronaldo goes back to United in his prime I will eat my hat.
— Paul Sarahs (@PaulSarahs) September 27, 2014"
The Telegraph's Mark Ogden says it would cost United £140 million to sign Ronaldo for a second time, with his transfer fee thought to reside in the £60 million area, on top of wage demands in the region of £380,000 a week.
Juan Cuadrado
Juan Cuadrado has given United a new hope in the race for his signature after it emerged the Colombian has reached a roadblock in his negotiations for a new Fiorentina contract.
The Daily Star's Bruce Archer says Cuadrado is at an impasse with La Viola, currently seeking terms more lucrative than that of his current £1 million-a-year salary.
The Red Devils would assuredly be in a better position to pay such figures, and David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com provides quotes from the winger's Fiorentina team-mate Mario Gomez on just how gifted his ally is:
Angel Di Maria has been brought in by Van Gaal as a player with potential to play out wide, but a switch in formation has seen United ditch the use of conventional wingers and wing-backs alike.
That being said, there's nothing to say Van Gaal couldn't incorporate a player as talented as Cuadrado if the maestro could be acquired, his dispute with La Viola opening a door for United to exploit.
Nicolas Otamendi
Despite only arriving at Valencia in January of this year, Nicolas Otamendi is being linked with a move to Old Trafford, and for four times the amount that took him to Spain, no less.
The Mirror's John Cross reports that Valencia are seeking £40 million for their centre-back, who only made his La Liga debut in August, having spent the first few months of his Valencia tenure on loan with Atletico Mineiro.
Daniel Storey of Sky Football thinks the price tag, believed to be Otamendi's release clause, is way out of touch with his actual value:
It's not so long ago that David Luiz completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain for £50 million, a fee that many have scrutinised, and Otamendi's acquisition could raise similar eyebrows if such a figure was paid.
Having been a star at Porto, the defender is still going about proving his pedigree in one of Europe's elite leagues, but for all United's need of quality at the back, Otamendi may be a prospect of poor value.
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