Transfer update: Ronaldo in shock move to Marseille

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have been linked with clubs from all over Eueope this summer, and yet the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is yet to find a new club. 

The likes of Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon have all been linked with the 37-year-old, but a new club has emerged as a potential destination for the forward, who United are believed to now be willing to sell.

According to French football expert Johnathan Johnson, there has been serious speculation of late linking the Portuguese with a shock move to Marseille.

Johnson told Sky Sport that a social media campaign supporting the possible move has gathered pace, with fans of the Ligue 1 side desperate to push for what would be one of the biggest signings in the club’s history.

Ronaldo has reportedly decided to leave Old Trafford, citing his desire to play in the Champions League during the final years of his career as the primary reason.

Marseille would be able to offer thePortugal international Champions League football, having qualified for Europe’s premier club competition by finishing second in the French top flight last term.

The French club have also recently signed former Barcelona player Alexis Sanchez, although they do look set to lose Arkadiusz Milik to Juventus, Johnson claims.

Former Marseille forward Djibril Cisse has also weighed in to the discussion, he explains.

“There have been some issues concerning the manager Igor Tudor and the playmaker Dimitri Payetand his fitness since the beginning of pre-season,” Johnson said.

“When you’ve got people like Djibril Cissé adding their voice to the calls to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Marseille, it does make for an interesting last few days in France.

“Given Ronaldo’s desire to play Champions League football and move before the end of the window, who knows? They already have Alexis Sanchez there, so perhaps stranger things have happened in the transfer market.”

Ronaldo has already won the top flight in and scored numerous goals in England, Spain and Italy, so the opportunity to do so in France would likely appeal to the former Real Madrid man.

If the move were to materialise, it would once again pit Ronaldo against rival Lionel Messi, who signed for Paris Saint-Germain last summer.