Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo could leave in time to play at the FIFA Club World Cup, while Aston Villa are reportedly interested in making a move for Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler. Elsewhere, Antony may make a permanent switch to La Liga outfit Real Betis after impressing on loan, and Chelsea may decide to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United after all.
Having bemoaned Man Utd’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, Ronaldo’s lack of options in Europe led to him taking the Saudi mega bucks, but Chelsea were one of few suitors. At the time, Thomas Tuchel pushed back on the transfer wanted by co-owner Todd Boehly and it fell through.
Ronaldo headed into 2023 with European options in the single figures, while he starts 2025 with even fewer possibilities. It feels like Chelsea remains the only Premier League club he could conceivably join.
Chelsea’s hierarchy infuriated supporters with their transfer activity in the summer as they failed to land a world-class striker after missing out on Victor Osimhen; Nicolas Jackson’s stunning start to the season silenced those naysayers, though his (and his side’s) ongoing dip in form has seen panic stations revisited.
While the Ronaldo glamour signing would tempt some of Chelsea’s more naive executives, it undermines the transfer model established – rightly or wrongly – under Boehly; they are better off waiting to land Viktor Osimhen in the summer.
Ronaldo may make Club World Cup switch
The Sun claims that Cristiano Ronaldo may still make an appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the season.
While Al Nassr have not qualified, competing teams can sign players during a 10-day window from the start of June.
The paper writes: "Cristiano Ronaldo could still compete in the Club World Cup this summer - even though Al Nassr did not qualify for the inaugural competition.
"The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is out of contract this summer, with his deal concluding on June 30 - halfway through the Club World Cup.
"However, new transfer rules that were implemented this week could enable him to leave before that date.
"Teams competing in the competition will be eligible to sign and register new players between June 1 and June 10.
"That means Ronaldo could be snapped up before his contract officially expires. And he could, in theory, sign a one-month deal just to play in the Club World Cup."
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