Is the Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United transfer saga still alive? According to former Manchester United legend Denis Irwin, the dream move could still happen.
"So Manchester United have been linked for a second time this summer with a return to Old Trafford for Cristiano Ronaldo," Irwin wrote in Ireland's Sunday World newspaper. "Of course it could happen, but I believe the speculation may be sparked by the ever-clearer indications that Gareth Bale is on the way from Spurs to Real Madrid."
Irwin indicated that the transfer would hinge on whether Real Madrid can afford to pay Ronaldo and Gareth Bale hefty sums.
"Can Real Madrid, rich and all as they are, afford to buy and then pay that brilliant pair of players? If the answer is yes, then Madrid see them as their answer to the [Lionel] Messi and Neymar duo at Barcelona. If the answer is no, then Ronaldo will be allowed leave, and Manchester United is an obvious destination," he wrote.
Madrid is reportedly offering 100 million pounds for the services of Gareth Bale, but has been met with constant resistance from Tottenham's executive. It is possible that Madrid might be forced to up its offer to include a higher fee or another player; both more expensive propositions.
Ronaldo has stopped talking about a potential move to Manchester and has recently said that he is happy with Madrid.
"I enjoy of course to play there [Real Madrid], I play there for four years so I want to continue there," he said during an interview in Singapore a few weeks ago.