Wantaway Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent reportedly met Barcelona President Joan Laporta on Monday to discuss a potential move to Catalonia, on a day when the 37-year-old skipped training in Manchester for “family” reasons.
According to Spanish daily Diario AS, both Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes met Laporta in Barcelona, with the publication reporting that all three had dinner together.
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The daily further reported that Laporta had explored the possibility of securing a move for Ronaldo last summer but had to shelve his plans due to Barcelona’s financial constraints.
Things, however, appear to be different this time around. Barcelona’s lengthy and public pursuit of Bayern Munich goal machine Robert Lewandowski has thus far proved unsuccessful, with the Bavarian club reportedly unwilling to sell their Polish ace.
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Given Bayern’s refusal to let go of Lewandowski, Ronaldo may well fit the bill for Barcelona, who are on the lookout for a top class finisher.
However, a move to Barcelona, if it materialises, is likely to enrage fans of Real Madrid, a club for whom Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 appearances and lifted numerous trophies including several La Liga and Champions League titles.
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That being said, a move to Barcelona is anything but confirmed, and it is still unclear whether United will be willing to let go of their top goal scorer.
Despite Ronaldo submitting an official request to United for a transfer this summer, Erik ten Hag has emphasized that the 37-year-old is a key part of his plans.
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Additionally, Ronaldo is also linked to the likes of Bayern Munich, who may be looking to replace Lewandowski if he leaves, as well as Chelsea, with manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly being a big fan of the Portuguese superstar.
While Ronaldo’s future remains up in the air at the moment, what is evident is the fact that the 37-year-old is exploring all possible alternatives, including a move to Barcelona, a side with which he has had a long-standing rivalry.