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Thick in the midst of a rebuild at Manchester United, speculation surrounding the future of Cristiano Ronaldo was hardly the kind of news the club was hoping for, especially with new head coach Erik ten Hag already preparing the squad in pre-season. But there could be a silver lining amidst the clouds of doubt.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils could make the best of a bad situation, should Portuguese superstar seek to force through a departure from Old Trafford. They believe that if Ronaldo is adamant about leaving, due to reported interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea, it could present an ideal opportunity to secure a swap deal for one of their players.
Ronaldo is apparently keen to play in the Champions League at this stage of his career, putting Manchester United in a difficult situation, albeit having quickly insisted he is not for sale. Nevertheless, given the recent suggestions that Chelsea may be a potential destination for the unsettled icon, United could potentially recover from such a loss by reinforcing elsewhere in their team, namely by proposing a swap deal that would bring N'Golo Kante to Old Trafford.
N'Golo Kante back on the grass at Cobham.#CFC pic.twitter.com/6cRVFqeHhh
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) July 5, 2022
Going back to May of this year, The Guardian reported that Manchester United were already considering a move for Kante, due to suggestions that Chelsea might be open to selling the French international. Despite being plagued by injuries last season, whenever Kante was fit and available, he continued to prove his worth as one of the most consistent players in the Premier League.
Frenkie de Jong is regarded as the priority signing for the Old Trafford hierarchy. Barcelona want £64 million plus £10 million in add-ons, with this deal edging closer via constant communication between the player and Ten Hag. The Dutch maestro will be the creative fulcrum in a new-look United side, although they also needs a tireless ball-winner in the heart of midfield, inevitably making Kante an ideal and highly interesting target.
Thought to be keen on luring Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge, new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is eager to make what could be considered a marquee signing for the club, especially after sanctioning the exit of Romelu Lukaku on loan to Inter Milan. This leaves manager Thomas Tuchel needing a suitable attacking replacement, strengthening rumours that Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has already spoken to the Blues.
While the prospect of Ronaldo departing would be a bitter blow for Untied fans, having shown such excitement for his long-awaited return to Manchester United last summer, the harsh reality of having failed to qualify for the Champions League is now taking its toll. "He wants to leave because he knows it's a sinking ship," former Spurs player Jamie O'Hara suggested on TalkSport, in the midst of a heated debate about the Portuguese international.
Cristiano Ronaldo didn't show up also today for Man United training, told the club he's still "dealing with personal/family issue" 🔴🇵🇹 #MUFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2022
Jorge Mendes, exploring options to find an official proposal as soon as possible. Man Utd, still on same position. pic.twitter.com/OuCfiFtIWy
"They're a shambles for letting him leave, he's their best player," O'Hara lambasted, even though no move has yet been confirmed by Manchester United. That being said, most fans would recognise that rather than keep a player against their will, the Red Devils would probably be better off letting Ronaldo go, especially having delayed his return to pre-season training. This actually mirrors the way he ultimately departed Juventus.
Taking the latest gossip into account, many leading bookmakers are already offering equal odds for where Ronaldo will be playing next season, whether he chooses to stay at Manchester United or leave for a fresh challenge at Chelsea. This would suggest that comparing available odds via the latest Sports Betting Online guide is worthwhile, as they cut through the noise to focus on genuine insights, particularly for markets relating to transfer news.
Manchester United were heavily reliant on Ronaldo last season, given his contribution of 24 goals from 38 appearances in all competitions. That being said, the 37-year-old veteran could also be viewed as a luxury player they can afford to lose, while Ten Hag shapes what the club hopes will be a bright new future. This implies a keener focus on team players, rather than outstanding individuals, making a swap deal for Kante all the more appealing.
