Ronaldo appears set to swap Real Madrid for Juventus after growing frustrated with life at the La Liga giants.
The 33-year-old, who scored four goals as Portugal reached the knockout stages of the World Cup last month, wants a bumper new deal that would see him earn similar to the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
However, Real have refused to give Cristiano Ronaldo what he wants and, as a result, an £88million transfer looks on the cards.
Many are surprised that Manchester United have refused to register an interest in their former No 7, who quit Old Trafford back in 2009.
And journalist and author Tom McDermott thinks the Red Devils may have opted against signing Ronaldo because of what it may mean for Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku signed from Everton in a £75m deal last summer and is taking the World Cup by storm with Belgium.
And McDermott thinks the 25-year-old factored into United’s thinking.
He tweeted: “Ronaldo not a wide man any longer he’s a number 9.
“Means that if #MUFC are interested then what happens to Lukaku? Probably part of the boards thinking when weighing it up.
“If you can get Lukaku, Sanchez and Ronaldo playing in tandem then great, but Lukaku not good enough wide.”
Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes, meanwhile, has dropped a hint his client will be strutting his stuff for Juventus next season.
“If he leaves, it will be a new challenge for him,” Mendes said.
“Should Cristiano leave Real Madrid he will be eternally grateful to the club, to the president, to the entire front office, the medical team and all the staff, without exception, as well as all the fans all around the world.”
