Why Griezmann could hold the key to Ronaldo’s Man Utd future

22 Jul 2022 14:57 BST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be linked with a surprise move to Atletico Madrid this summer, yet the deal may hinge on the future of Antoine Griezmann.

It is no secret that Ronaldo is looking for a way to leave Man Utd this summer but agent Jorge Mendes is finding it difficult to market the veteran attacker to clubs.

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The situation has become so desperate that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is now willing to take a large pay cut to seal a transfer, according to numerous reports.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo still wants to move to a club that will be competitive at the top end of a major league and will play Champions League football next season – two things that he does not think are possible at Old Trafford.

Atletico Madrid have emerged as a surprise option. Although FootballTransfers’ understanding is that the Wanda Metropolitano side would not be willing to shatter their wage structure to sign Ronaldo, it may just be possible if he is willing to take the kind of pay cut that is being discussed.

Ronaldo camp 'optimistic' on Atleti move

And according to El Larguero, there is an upbeat attitude in the Ronaldo camp that this might just happen.

“Jorge Mendes is still very optimistic that Cristiano Ronaldo can go to Atletico Madrid - he says that if the problem is economic, it can be fixed and if players have to be released for him to come, they can wait,” the Spanish source reports.

Even this, however, could hinge on the future of big-earning Atleti players Griezmann and Saul. Indeed, Mendes is open to working with them to find new clubs if it means that Ronaldo can move back to Madrid, where partner Georgina Rodriguez wants to stay.

© ProShots - Georgina Rodriguez wants to move back to Madrid

It is stated: “Mendes continues to be optimistic and would not look badly on helping Griezmann or Saúl find a way out. Until Atletico say that it is impossible no matter what happens, they will continue working.”

Despite these reports, it would still be a major surprise if Ronaldo was to leave Man Utd for Atletico Madrid, with a belief at Real Madrid that the Portugal star is trying to entice them into a deal.