On Monday, AS reported Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is seduced by the idea of playing under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid.
Later that day, Sport stated the potential deal to take the Red Devils forward to Madrid is taking shape.
AS on Tuesday state the ‘temptation’ to sign the Manchester United player has ‘shaken the plans’ of Los Rojiblancos.
As it stands, the former Juventus man has no place at Atlético, for financial and sporting reasons. The Madrid club will have to raise €40m first before registering new signings.
Simeone has five forwards: João Félix, Antoine Griezmann, Álvaro Morata, Matheus Cunha and Ángel Correa. Only Félix is untouchable and out of the remaining four forwards, one or two would have to leave, for the club to sign Ronaldo.
Although the operation to sign Ronaldo seems ‘totally unfeasible’ now, AS points out the same was said before Atlético signed Luis Suárez [in 2020] and Griezmann [in 2021]. 
AS state: ‘Atleti have not yet launched, but are waiting in case at some point everything is a matter of figures. Cristiano’s will seems fundamental, because the other vertex of the triangle is Manchester United, which for now does not give its arm to twist and even Ten Hag talks about the option of extending Cristiano’s contract until 2024.’
Ronaldo hasn’t yet returned to pre-season training. This may give Atlético hope to sign him this summer, even though Ten Hag has insisted the attacker is not for sale.
