Serie A giants Napoli are reportedly among the clubs interested in securing the services of wantaway Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to The Athletic, Cristiano Ronaldo has become a subject of interest for Napoli. The Serie A club are aware of the fact that the Manchester United attacker has informed his team of his desire to leave Old Trafford this summer. It has put the Partenopei on red alert as they look to make an ambitious move for the Portuguese icon.
Formerly of Real Madrid, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United last summer. The move was viewed as a match made in heaven at the time, as the Red Devils were desperately looking for a formidable goalscorer while he was also accompanied by other signings such as Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
A year later, Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford has been disastrous, to say the last. With a tally of 24 goals, the Portuguese international has been able to maintain a high level of performance, but the same cannot be said for Manchester United, who were unable to seal a top-four finish in the Premier League.
It means there will be no UEFA Champions League football on offer at Old Trafford in the coming season. It appears to have played a key role in convincing Ronaldo to leave Manchester United in the summer, even though new coach Erik ten Hag wants to build the squad around him.
Napoli, meanwhile, were the surprise contender for the Serie A title last season following a fantastic start to life under Luciano Spalletti. Although the Partenopei failed to keep up with the two Milan clubs, in the end, the club are determined to mount a tougher challenge in the coming season.
Spalletti has already roped in Mathias Olivera, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ahead of the new season. Napoli want to further improve their ranks in the offensive department by securing the services of Ronaldo, especially amidst the uncertain future of Newcastle United target Victor Osimhen.
Luring Ronaldo from Manchester United to Naples might not be an easy task, however. Although Napoli will be able to offer Champions League football next season, the Partenopei are set to face stiff competition from Chelsea.
The Blues’ new owner Todd Boehly had even met with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes recently, whereas German giants Bayern Munich are involved in the scene as well. A move to Naples, therefore, appears to be an unlikely possibility for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is certain to favour a move to either Chelsea or Bayern Munich.
