Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly hopeful of having "clear-the-air" discussions with Cristiano Ronaldo in the near future.
The Portugal international has allegedly told the Red Devils that he wants to leave the club during this summer's transfer window, as he is determined to continue playing in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the 37-year-old in recent weeks, but all four clubs are believed to have ruled themselves out of the running for his signature.
Atletico Madrid are the latest club to be credited with an interest, although it is unclear whether the capital giants would be able to afford the experienced striker.
Man United have maintained that Ronaldo is not for sale this summer, and according to journalist Ben Jacobs, Ten Hag is still hoping to have "clear-the-air" discussions with the Portuguese.
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"We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that's it," Ten Hag told recently reporters. "I'm looking forward to working with him. I have read [that he wants to leave], but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale, he is in our plans and we want success together."
Ronaldo still has another 12 months left to run on his contract, with the option of another year, and Ten Hag also said earlier this week that the striker could extend his deal at Old Trafford.
"I am well-informed he also has an option (to extend his contract), eh? Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course I have signed here for three years, but in football it's short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don't look that far ahead," the Manchester Evening News quoted Ten Hag as saying.
Ronaldo has not been with the Man United squad on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to a personal issue, and it is unclear when he will report back to Carrington.
"The same status as last week in Bangkok: no change. I cannot tell you (when he will be back at Carrington). No change in the issue. He is training. I think we all know Ronaldo is a top professional and he will be fit. That is the last concern I have," Ten Hag told reporters when asked about the situation.
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Jacobs adds that Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has told interested clubs that his client would be prepared to take "a significant pay cut" this summer, potentially as much as 30%.
The journalist claims that no clubs are currently close to securing a deal for the forward, who was also offered to Barcelona before the Catalan outfit signed Robert Lewandowski.
Ronaldo is also desperate for "support" during a World Cup year, as he believes that the burden is largely on him to find the back of the net for Man United.
The former Sporting Lisbon youngster scored 24 goals and registered three assists in 37 appearances for Man United last season, but a disappointing campaign for the 20-time English champions saw them finish sixth in the Premier League table, which has seen them miss out on the Champions League for 2022-23.
In theory, Ronaldo could be involved in Man United's final two friendlies of the summer against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, but the club still do not know when he plans to return to Manchester.
Matt Law
