Get your seatbelts on.
Manchester United are in talks to bring Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford - and it has seen Manchester City bow out of the running for the Portuguese star.
The 36-year-old has informed Bianconeri coach Massimiliano Allegri that he wants to leave Turin this summer, with that news confirmed by Allegri on Friday, and Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes had been in negotiations with the Citizens over a switch to Manchester.
But city rivals United have now entered the race too, 90min understands, while City have in the last few moments briefed that they will not be signing the player.
The United board are now discussing figures over Ronaldo's salary and are considering the transfer fee they may have to offer Juventus, who don't want to lose him for nothing. The former Real Madrid star has spent the past three seasons with the Old Lady, but he has grown unhappy in Turin, and has demanded a transfer this summer.
According to 90min sources, agent Mendes had no idea of the Red Devils' interest as late as Wednesday morning, and Ronaldo was then informed that his former club were keen to bring him back. The forward will command a hefty salary, given that he currently earns €31m-a-year, but he is expected to lower demands to facilitate a move.
The main sticking point remains a potential transfer fee, as Juve want to recoup some of the €100m they spent three years ago. Mendes is currently working to try and spark an agreement between the two clubs, to help move the deal along.
Man Utd coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to rule out the possibility of Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford, reminding him that the Red Devils 'are here' if he was interested.
"We've always had a good communication. Bruno's been talking to him as well and he knows what we feel about him. And if he was ever gonna move away from Juventus he knows we're here," Solskjaer said.
Source : 90min