Cristiano Ronaldo transfer to Atletico Madrid ruled out by Simeone

Erik ten Hag on Cristiano Ronaldo staying at Man Utd

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Cristiano Ronaldo was not an option for Atletico Madrid this summer according to Diego Simeone, while the Argentine also quashed any suggestions that a move could be possible in January. Manchester United are believed to have told the wantaway forward that he is free to leave in winter if the club receive a suitable bid for his services however it appears this move will not be to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Ronaldo has been angling for a move away from Old Trafford since July after he entered a transfer request in order to try and force through a move to a Champions League club. However, no such move was forthcoming and the Portugal captain was forced to remain in Manchester. 

He has found his match time somewhat limited so far this season though, with Erik ten Hag tending to select Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony as his first-choice front three. As a result, the Dutchman has since told Ronaldo he will not stand in his way should a suitable offer come in for him if he still wants to pursue a move away. 

The conversation has therefore turned to who the 37-year-old will represent next and there have been suggestions that he could make the move to Atletico after their rumoured interest in the summer. 

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However, these have been quashed by Simeone who has stated his club where never interested in the forward’s signature, comparing the move to a player crossing the Boca Junior/River Plate divide given his history at Real Madrid. 

“Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible arrival at Atletico in the summer? The little birds told you anything far from what happened,” the 52-year-old told Martin Libermann. “People speak sometimes to tell what they want to tell, not reality.

“Cristiano Ronaldo for Atleti? Ronaldo is an absolute benchmark for Real Madrid. I wouldn’t see Martin Palermo or Riquelme playing in River Plate or Ortega in Boca. That’s very clear.”

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The 191-time capped international’s return to Old Trafford has turned sour despite 24 goals in 38 games since his arrival from Juventus last season. He has been criticised for his inability to press, something which is seen as the reason Ten Hag has decided to look to other options this season, as he looks to use players more suited to his system. His contract expires at the end of the campaign and it is looking increasingly clear that he will move on. 

Only time will tell what will happen in the rest of Ronaldo’s United career – but it is clear that his next move will not be to play under Simeone at Atletico. 

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