HIGH AND WIDE
RECORD PRICES AND WINGERS ON THE MOVE AS DEADLINE NEARS
CRISTIANO RONALDO has completed a medical in Lisbon after agreeing personal terms, clearing the way for his sensational return to Manchester United today on a two-year deal.
United announced on Friday they had agreed to re-sign Ronaldo from Juventus after he told the Serie A club he had no intention of staying.
The deal for the former Real Madrid superstar, who had been linked with an unlikely switch to United’s bitter rivals Manchester City, will cost the Old Trafford board an initial £14million and is set to spark at least one high-profile exit from United before tonight’s transfer deadline.
Ronaldo’s capture is expected to be the marquee move on the final day of this summer’s transfer window, which closes at 10pm today, but his signing may see Wales winger Dan James cross the Pennines to join Leeds United.
James started Sunday’s 1-0 win at Wolves but Leeds were last night reported to be in talks over a deal which would represent a club-record £30m for the Yorkshire side, with the initial outlay being £25m.
James, 23, cost £15m when he was signed from Swansea in the 2019 summer window but he had already fallen down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pecking order following the £73m capture of England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
The Bundesliga club will play their part in the final-day merry-go-round by attempting to sign Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi on loan.
The England winger is yet to feature in the top-flight for the Blues this term, despite starting the European Super Cup shoot-out victory over Villarreal earlier this month.
German giants Dortmund are keen to bring in the 20-year-old and deploy him in his favoured left-wing role.