A quick glance at the top ten football transfers of 2018 is a fascinating study. We’ve covered the Neymar-PSG deal, the Ronaldo-Barcelona move, and the Bonucci-Juventus swap. But which players are still on the move? We’ll also look at the sagas of Antoine Griezmann and Ronaldo. And, of course, we’ll touch on the countless off-field issues that have left players in the portal.
Neymar’s move to PSG
The Brazilian forward’s move to PSG is likely to be one of the biggest football transfers in history. PSG paid a world record transfer fee of EUR222 million for the player five years ago, but it’s still unclear how his performances will fare this season. Nevertheless, he has enjoyed a remarkable five-year stay at the Parc des Princes. In that time, he’s won 11 trophies and contributed 60 assists to PSG’s Ligue 1 title.
It’s important to look at the transfer in its wider context. Neymar is worth EUR1bn, and it’s important to remember that the PSG project was never purely sporting or political. The Qatar Sports Investment company, which invested EUR1billion into the club, was seeking to create a super-brand. The most marketable and recognisable sportsperson in history, Neymar makes PSG a super-brand.
In addition to PSG, Neymar’s move to Newcastle represents another Premier League club eager to spend money on elite signings. Newcastle is currently set to sell Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, opening up funds for a new world-class attack. The Brazilian may be interested in a move to Newcastle because he was a successful player at Barcelona. The Brazilian is reportedly «crazy» about returning to the Camp Nou, and could bring the magic back to the Premier League.
Ronaldo’s move to Barcelona
Several reasons have been put forward to justify the possibility of a Ronaldo move to Barcelona. First of all, it would be a sensational transfer. Ronaldo is fed up with Manchester United, whose supporters have made him a virtual nobody. Barcelona president Joan Laporta is a friend of Ronaldo’s. Second, Ronaldo would add another striker to the already stellar team. And third, the Spanish giants need goals. Lastly, Barcelona needs goals — and Ronaldo would be the perfect player to provide them.
Ronaldo’s move to Barcelona would be a world-record move, making it the most expensive and most exciting in recent history. Juventus are keen to acquire Ronaldo, who is a bona fide legend in the game. The Catalans currently field a front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, all of whom are in their late twenties. If Ronaldo were to join Barcelona, the club would be able to replace Messi and Neymar, which would be an amazing coup for the Catalans.
The Portuguese international is set to leave Juventus in the summer after failing to win the Serie A title and reaching the last four of the Champions League. His relationship with new Juventus manager Max Allegri has turned sour, and his PS100m contract is up in the summer. Although Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the Portuguese international, Barcelona are now considered a viable alternative.
Antoine Griezmann’s transfer saga
Antoine Griezmann has finally returned to Atletico Madrid. The deal was reportedly completed at the eleventh hour, but it has been a complicated process. Unlike La Decision, Griezmann was not told the transfer was over until the early hours of Tuesday morning. This has resulted in a transfer saga in which both parties are claiming that the transfer was triggered by Barcelona, and at the same time, Atletico claim they were unable to replace Griezmann before the end of January.
The drama surrounding Antoine Griezmann’s transfer has gone on for two years. It culminated with the release clause in his new contract, which Atletico Madrid inserted when he signed it. But, the fact remains that the Argentine has been linked with Manchester United since the start of last season. Barcelona meanwhile, have openly admired Griezmann’s skills. The saga also includes the ‘La Decision’ documentary, which reveals the background to the transfer.
During the summer, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were both linked with the France international. However, Barcelona wanted a deal that would allow the Frenchman to return to Atletico. Barcelona was keen on signing Griezmann, but Atletico complained that the price was too high and would not be worth the investment. Barcelona have now decided to buy the Argentine with the release clause, and Antoine Griezmann’s move is official.
Bonucci’s move to Juventus
The transfer of Leonardo Bonucci from Milan to Juventus was a controversial one, but it is now viewed as one of the top 10 transfers of all time. The Italian played for Juventus for six years and was a pillar of their success. Despite his ill-fated move to Italy, Juventus fans are delighted to welcome him back and will be pleased to see him play in a red and black jersey.
Although Juventus will be deprived of their captain, the new signings will not make the team worse. Bonucci is a liability without a stable defender. He has been inconsistent since his 2017 move to Milan. His attitude off the field is not helping matters. Juve should sell him and Rugani and invest in two young centre-backs. The money from the sale of Bonucci and Rugani should go towards the club’s rebuilding efforts.
The move of Andrea Pirlo from AC Milan to Juventus was another memorable one. The Italian defender was one of the most sought-after players in the world, and his arrival in Turin coincided with the appointment of Antonio Conte and the building of a new stadium. This transfer is still considered one of the top 10 football transfers of all time, and has been hailed as one of the best in recent history.
Alvaro Morata’s move to Barcelona
Juventus have completed the loan deal for Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Morata, who has expressed his desire to leave Turin. The Spanish striker had previously been linked with a move away from the club in January. The move was reportedly discussed with Morata and former Juventus assistant coach Miguel Molina. The two men have worked together in the past at Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
Xavi likes the Spanish international, and he is a great fit in the team. He is a smart runner and is good at sprints to close down opponents. The midfielder’s excellent understanding with Ferran Torres helps him excel in the high press. As for Xavi, he is confident of preparing Morata for the upcoming Super Cup match against Real Madrid.
A move for Morata to Barcelona is a huge coup for both parties. The deal is 95% completed, though the agent needs to agree to the terms. Barcelona have already struck a deal with Atletico to sign Antoine Griezmann, but it has to convince Juventus to make the transfer permanent. Barcelona need a striker after spending so much on Ferran Torres, and Morata would bring the quality they desperately need in their attacking line.
There have been some criticisms of Morata’s move to Barcelona. Some have labelled the Spanish midfielder «too nice» and «too sensitive». The fact is, Morata is a top-10 striker when he plays well. During his off-season, he is not as impressive. Nevertheless, the deal has a good chance of bringing the Argentine international to Spain.
Diego Costa’s transfer saga
Atletico Madrid have been linked with the forward, who is in a contract dispute with Chelsea. Diego Costa, who joined Chelsea in 2013, has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, despite being banned from signing players until January 2018. In the meantime, AC Milan are interested in a loan deal, but negotiations are likely to take a long time. It’s unclear if Costa will ever play in the Premier League again.
In a recent interview, Diego Costa has delved into the issues surrounding his future at Chelsea and has remained unsigned. The Spanish media has speculated that the striker will be sold to Atletico, but the Spaniard has opted to stay at Stamford Bridge. While this is unlikely to change anytime soon, it does seem to be a major red flag. Atletico Madrid have been unable to sign any new players until January, which is a sign that Diego Costa would like to move on to a better club.
The saga surrounding Diego Costa continues to make headlines. While his contract expired, Chelsea have contacted Arsenal and Atletico about a possible return to the Premier League. The Arsenal game against Spurs was postponed due to the lack of players. However, it is unlikely to make any difference until the transfer window is over. It’s impossible to predict the future, but there’s a high likelihood it will involve Diego Costa.
With Juventus’ future in doubt, can Manchester United afford to keep Cristiano Ronaldo? With the cost of signing a striker so high, the question is: is it worth it for United to keep Ronaldo? We can only speculate but the answer to that question may surprise you. If Man Utd can afford to keep Ronaldo, why would they not do it? Can Manchester United afford to keep him?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Juventus is in doubt
The ‘Unromantic’ relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus has left his long-term future in limbo. Despite his recent return to training at Juventus, the Portuguese international has yet to win a league title and is facing speculation of his future. Ronaldo, who has one year remaining on his current contract, recently said that he wanted to play for as long as possible — and he is keen to play until 2022, when he will be 37 years old.
Despite the rumours of a possible move to another club, Juventus have not opened negotiations with the Portugal international. While it is widely believed that Juventus are still open to accepting a bid of up to EUR30 million for Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese international has no intention of leaving his current club and joining a lower league. Moreover, he has told his agent Jorge Mendes to press for a one-year extension.
The rumours surrounding Cristiano’s future at Juventus have been circulating since the summer. He recently won the Golden Boot at the Euro 2020 tournament and is earning over $1 million per week. However, the club’s recent troubles have made it difficult for them to keep Ronaldo and his team together. The club also were knocked out of the Champions League by Porto on the final day.
Ronaldo’s options are limited
Cristiano Ronaldo may decide to leave Manchester United before Erik ten Hag’s arrival. The Portuguese international returned to Manchester United last summer for PS12million, signing a two-year contract with a 12-month option. Many critics say he has been hindering the team, focusing on himself rather than the collective. It is also difficult to imagine Ronaldo replacing Carlos Tevez at Manchester United.
There have been rumours that a new manager is set to take over at Old Trafford, but the Portuguese has reportedly rejected the idea. However, the new manager may not have Ronaldo in his plans. The chances of Ronaldo leaving Manchester United are 50-50. Ronaldo re-joined the club last August, but his form has not been good. Despite scoring 18 goals this season, United have slipped to fifth in the Premier League.
While it has been reported that ten Hag wants to discuss the situation with every member of the squad, there have been no concrete details on whether or not he plans to drop Ronaldo. The manager has denied the report and has insisted that he will continue to use Ronaldo for next season. However, La Republica has claimed that Ronaldo’s contract is over and that Jorge Mendes will be seeking a new club for the Argentine.
Manchester United are the only club that could afford him
It seems that only one club in Europe could afford Cristiano Ronaldo. It could be Manchester United, who sold the Portuguese superstar for PS80m in summer 2009. But is Manchester United really the only club that could afford to sign him? That’s what a football marketing expert says. Regardless of the answer to that question, Manchester United are the only club that can afford to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Juventus will receive a EUR15 million transfer fee from Manchester United, and they could add up to another EUR8 million in add-on fees. But before signing Ronaldo, the club must finalise contract terms with the player and resolve visa issues. In the long run, Manchester United can afford to keep Ronaldo, but they should try to improve in other areas of the pitch before he leaves.
Despite the high price, Manchester United have shown progress under Solskjaer. But Ronaldo’s representatives have declined to comment on speculations. Manchester United are already in the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating Aston Villa. The club’s relationship with Jorge Mendes is one that Ed Woodward has treasured. And Ronaldo’s future will ultimately depend on his future with the club.
Ronaldo’s move to Chelsea
The move is a huge coup for Chelsea, with a number of reasons for the Spaniard’s imminent arrival. First, the rumours of a potential move to Stamford Bridge are nothing new, with reports claiming that Chelsea’s agents had already discussed the deal with Ronaldo’s agent. Manchester United have also confirmed that they would not sell Ronaldo to Chelsea, but they have denied the rumours, and have refuted reports linking them with a move to Stamford Bridge. However, the reports from Italy are a source of hope for Chelsea fans, and the prospect of a possible partnership with Lionel Messi is growing increasingly realistic.
A new owner for Chelsea is planning to make a splash this summer and has already met with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes. Chelsea have also reportedly started talks with Barcelona’s Raheem Sterling and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling. However, this is only a temporary move and Ronaldo could end up staying at Manchester United. The new owners of Chelsea are also expected to make significant spending decisions, and are keen to get Ronaldo to their team.
Real Madrid
The transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid was an ambitious move from Manchester United. The Portuguese star joined the club in 2003, claiming a Premier League title and a League Cup. He could have also won a second Champions League title had he stayed. After a difficult period in Manchester, Ronaldo finally moved to Real Madrid. At United, he scored 118 goals in 292 appearances. In his time with Manchester United, he also won the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo also won four LaLiga titles and a Copa del Rey, which he shared with Higuain.
Juventus and Real Madrid have two strikers — Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The former has more experience in the Premier League and was the first player to score a hat trick for a European Champions League game. Cristiano has also scored in the Champions League and the European Cup. Both players have hat tricks, as Rigg, Nicholas, wrote on 28 October 2014 and 9 March 2016.
The Portuguese international has been a key figure for Manchester United under Ole Gunn Solskjaer and the club’s manager Erik ten Hag, but it is possible he won’t be a central figure in the rebuilding process at Manchester United. Despite his 23 goals in 37 appearances for Manchester United, the Red Devils have struggled this season. And if Ronaldo is leaving, the club must make room for other stars.
Bayern Munich
Despite reports that Manchester United are planning to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Bayern Munich, the club have denied the claim. According to reports in German media, the Portuguese forward is unlikely to move to Munich. According to one report, Bayern Munich executive Hasan Salihamidzic lowered his thumbs when discussing the possibility of signing Ronaldo. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that Ronaldo will leave Manchester United, as he has never played for the German side.
The transfer rumours are already causing concerns. While it is not certain whether Bayern will sell Lewandowski to Barcelona, the recent signing of Sadio Mane from Liverpool will likely ensure that they do not bring in reinforcements. However, Ronaldo does not fit the team’s plans for Mane. In addition, Robert Lewandowski is rumoured to want to move to Barcelona, and this would allow Mane to play a central role.
Ajax, Manchester City and Bayern Munich were among the teams that considered signing Ronaldo. However, after the club failed to secure a transfer deal with Bayern, Ronaldo’s focus has been on Ten Hag and Manchester United. He is in the Premier League for the season and is working hard to prove himself. Despite the transfer rumours, United are yet to confirm any deals with Barcelona or Ajax.
Paris Saint-Germain
If Manchester United can afford Cristiano Ronaldo at PSG, then they could also sign Neymar for a similar fee. Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Bayern Munich, while Sporting Lisbon are reportedly considering a reunion with the Portuguese giants. Meanwhile, Neymar’s future at PSG is also in doubt, with some rumours suggesting the club would be keen to offload the Brazilian.
Juventus would be hard hit if they miss out on a top-four Champions League spot. Cristiano Ronaldo is said to cost the Old Lady around PS1 million a week, which is why PSG are willing to part with the Portuguese ace for a reported EUR120 million. However, Manchester United would have to get Ronaldo to stay on a small budget, which is why they’re not able to afford the same transfer fees as PSG.
PSG and Bayern both have huge attacking holes that need filling. PSG have Kylian Mbappe set to join Real Madrid in June, while Bayern have rumours linking Robert Lewandowski with the club. Both sides are likely to be tempted by the prospect of playing alongside Cristiano and Lionel Messi. Neither of the two sides would mind a 12-month contract for one of their most star players.
