Cristiano Ronaldo insider reveals star’s final Napoli decision, handing Man Utd key striker deal jolt

A close friend of Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that the Manchester United star will not move to Napoli, amid Red Devils interest in Victor Osimhen.

Ronaldo, 37, has proved a big focus at Old Trafford this summer amid his reported desire to leave the club. For several weeks, though, talk of a transfer away has struggled to progress.

The Portuguese wants Champions League football again, but Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich – once considered suitors – have ruled out moves.

More recently, though, talk of a Ronaldo switch to Napoli has gained traction. And United interest in the Serie A club’s Nigerian marksman Osimhen has pushed it along.

Reports last week claimed that United could send loan Ronaldo to Napoli and pay a big chunk of his wages. They would then have to pay £100million to sign 23-year-old Osimhen.

However, Spanish journalist Edu Aguirre – who has close ties to Ronaldo – has claimed on El Chiringuito that the loan deal will not be happening.

The former Juventus man has reportedly decided against a fresh move to Serie A.

But amid Man Utd’s signing of Ajax’s Brazilian winger Antony, manager Erik ten Hag wants a new centre-forward in.

Ronaldo decision leaves Osimhen to Man Utd in doubt

And given the previous potential of Ronaldo going to Napoli, Osimhen was a prime target. Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has been trying to engineer a move between the clubs.

Napoli have set their reported £100million price tag, but boss Luciano Spalletti has insisted that a slightly lower offer would suffice for him.

“The club thinks of any situation that is of interest to our players,” the Italian told DAZN. “I say that if a club offers you €100m [£85million], it is not easy to say no.

“Since I arrived here, all the players have been on the market for the right price.”

Napoli have already sold Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea and Arkadiusz Milik to Marseille this summer.

United should try striker deal

Despite the reported decision from Ronaldo not to sign for Napoli, United should still go after Osimhen – but should try to drive the price down.

He looks an exciting talent and while relatively unproven like Antony, United have not been shy to splash the cash this summer. Indeed, Antony is costing £84million at only 22 years of age from the Eredivisie.

Osimhen, meanwhile, enjoyed a rise at Lille before getting his move to Napoli.

He has only gone from strength to strength in Italy and has Champions League football – including matches against Liverpool – to look forward to.

As such, it is unclear if Osimhen would actually accept the move to Europa League-hosting Old Trafford.

But given the striker’s potential and age, United should definitely consider a move. A £100million transfer looks a stretch, but if the Red Devils can drive Napoli’s demands down, they would be getting a much better deal.