Man Utd seek to snare 'disillusioned' Cristiano Ronaldo
Alex Ferguson 'met with Ronaldo' in bid to bring him back to Manchester at the end of the season
Are Manchester United making a move for Cristiano Ronaldo through the foxy Alex Ferguson? Is Gareth Bale on his way out of the Bernabeu? And what's this about Steven Gerrard going to Scotland? It's all happening in today's Transfer Talk
• Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is "trying to convince Cristiano Ronaldo to come back" to the club. That's the startling claim in The Sun, the paper reporting that Fergie even dined with the Portuguese preener last week after watching Real Madrid slump to a 4-3 home defeat to Schalke in the Champions League. Sources told The Sun that Ferguson, who brought Ronaldo to Old Trafford in 2003, is hopeful he can lure him back to the club to see out his career. It's alleged that Ronaldo is "disillusioned" at Madrid and may be open to a move away from the Bernabeu at the end of this season.
• And might Gareth Bale also be on his way out of the Spanish capital? The Mirror says that the former Tottenham star is prepared to leave in the summer "if the offer is right". Bale has scored just once in nine games in his second season with Real and fans have been venting their frustration at his under-par performances in recent weeks. The Mirror says it has it on good authority that Bale would like to tough it out at Real – at least for another season – but if an irresistible offer is tabled, one amenable to both him and the club, he could leave. The Mirror suggests Manchester United are the club most likely to land Bale, which, given the Ronaldo rumours, means either United are going to break the bank or the Mirror or the Sun have got their facts wrong.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
• Perhaps both red-tops are wide of the mark and it's the Daily Star that's bang on the money with their claim that United "have jumped ahead of Liverpool" in the race to sign Burnley striker Danny Ings. The 22-year-old frontman has been linked with Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Sociedad this season but the Star reports that Ings is now being courted by United. Ings is out of contract in June, which makes him doubly attractive to United boss Louis van Gaal, and it's likely that to accommodate his wages, United will send Radamel Falcao back to Monaco rather than make his loan deal permanent.
• And the Star also states that United and Tottenham are going head-to-head with Tottenham for the services of Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The 25-year-old Gabon international is valued at £30m after a string of strong performances in Germany.
• Strangest story of the weekend comes from Scotland and the news that Celtic are eyeing up Steven Gerrard on a loan deal. The Liverpool captain leaves Anfield for MLS outfit LA Galaxy in the summer but the Sunday People says Celtic are in discussions with Galaxy about the possibility of bringing the midfield veteran to Glasgow between December and March, thereby "keeping him fit before the new MLS season got underway".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated