Could a 'sad' Cristiano Ronaldo move to Manchester City?

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a typically impressive brace this weekend against Granada. The forward usually demonstrates either an unabashed emotive celebrative style or a more arrogant and rightly self assured approval of his own talents via the obvious body language on his face. A wry smile, a side of the mouth grin or a smarmy pout; this time however he barely celebrated the 2 goals. After the game he confirmed he was ‘sad’ and despite not fully divulging the reasons he was assertive in the fact the issues were professional and not personal.

The immediacy and unanimity of the Spanish press releasing the news that Ronaldo had made his desire to leave the club clear to Real Madrid president Florentin Perez was telling. It appears the star player, one of the greatest to ever play the game and the most expensive player of all time may have decided his time at the Bernabeu is at an end.

The reasons being circulated vary from a split in the team dynamic, an apparent unhappiness at not being offered a new deal, to just sheer boredom. One thing that is for sure however is if the Portuguese is serious about leaving there are not many teams that would be able to get anywhere near the asking price Real Madrid would be quoting.

In fact there are potentially only 2 teams who would be able to get near what is already being reported as a potential first ever £100 million transfer fee. Paris Saint-Germain have a quite sickening amount of money they can splash on players and the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo would blow the Rest of Europe’s conception of Les Parisiens little project into smithereens. However can you really see Ronaldo playing in Ligue 1?

Which leaves you with Manchester City.

They have not made a huge marquee signing this summer as they try to consolidate a secure squad but if the genuine opportunity arose to bring in Ronaldo they would surely snap it up. To bring in one of Manchester United’s recent greats and then sell his image and Ronaldo merchandise around the world would be a huge coup. Sure the FIFA Financial Fair Play regulations may behave as a suitable deterrent but never say never in football.

Would Ronaldo go to City? If he really wanted to leave Real and it was the only offer that came in he definitely has the personality to cope with any amount of animosity that comes with this potentially eye watering deal.

However the unveiling of such melancholy comes with bizarre timing. Just after the transfer window closes you announce you want to leave? Perhaps he is simply looking for a brand new contract a little earlier then Real Madrid is willing to dish one out.

That or he is giving any potential suitors plenty of time to raise the monumental amount of cash it would take to pry him away from Real. Either way this story could shape up to be one of the more incredible in football.

Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester City? Watch this space.

image: © Jan S0L0