Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has said “everybody” dreams of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s return to the club but believes it is unlikely to happen due to the Manchester United forward’s high wages.
Ronaldo, 37, has been available on a free transfer since the summer, with United hoping another club will take on his £500,000-per-week wages, sources have told ESPN, but the club have only received interest from Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal.
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“Ronaldo is a top player, he is a Manchester United player,” Amorim said on Tuesday ahead of Sporting’s Champions League clash at Tottenham.
“Everybody at Sporting dreams of the return of Cristiano. He is a Manchester United player. I think he will be for a few [more] months. We don’t have the money to pay his wages.”
Ronaldo was dropped for last weekend’s draw with Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute against Spurs and was told to train alone with United fitness coaches. However, the forward was allowed to rejoin the squad on Tuesday and could be in line to return in United’s Europa League game against FC Sheriff.
The Portugal international requested to leave United in the summer to play Champions League football, provoking links to his first professional club, Sporting, although Amorim has said a move is unlikely.
