Big-Money Deal to Bring Cristiano Ronaldo Back to Old Trafford: Report

It would be the transfer of the summer were it to come off - Man Utd are looking to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo!

Although United have completed deals for Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, they are determined to secure a marquee buy in the vein of Angel di Maria's British record £59. million arrival last year, a report by The Telegraph states on Friday. 

Could Ronaldo be the 'mystery' forward everyone has been talking about?

The first cracks in the relationship between Ronaldo and new Real coach Rafa Benitez have begun to open, according to reports in Spain.

Ronaldo - who notoriously tweeted his support for previous manager Carlo Ancelotti just before he was sacked at the end of last season - is currently with Real on their pre-season tour of Australia.

As, the Spanish newspaper, has reported that Ronaldo - whose unhappiness at Real has been a subject of much speculation all summer - was angry with one of Benitez's training drills, which saw him ask players to strike the crossbar from distance. They quoted him as saying on the field: "It’s meant to be the ball in there, in the net. Not this s---."

Ronaldo was also alleged to have been unhappy with Benitez's refereeing of a training match, with Spanish TV cameras recording him saying: "He gives everything against the Portuguese" and also recording an outburst after Benitez disallowed one of his goals.

Benitez appeared entirely unconcerned by suggestions Ronaldo might not be happy, and used a press conference in Australia to heap praise on the player - whom he had previously described as 'only' one of the best players in the world. That jarred with what has become the politically cute response of previous Real coaches, who habitually lauded him as the planet's greatest, mindful of his special status at the club.

Meanwhile, United are on the brink of a deal for Barcelona's unsettled forward Pedro - and the transfer could be sealed next week.

The Daily Express reports that United are ready to trigger the £22 million release clause in the 27-year-old's contract and are confident the Spaniard wants to join them.

However, The Daily Telegraph adds that Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has warned United the European champions will not accept anything less than £22 million for Pedro.

"We have not received any offers for any player," Bartomeu said. "I refer back to what head coach Luis Enrique said: If someone wants to sign our players then the release clause must be met. So far, no one has made an offer, so we are calm."

Real Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, and chief executive José Ángel Sánchez will hold talks with Sergio Ramos in China this weekend, when they will tell the central defender they do not want to sell him, despite his desire to leave for Man United.

The Guardian claims Ramos does not intend to back down. If this ends with a new contract, it will not be because that was his goal but because it became unavoidable. He will reiterate his desire to leave, insisting there is no turning back and that he wants only to join United, but he knows that if Madrid refuse to sell, he will have to stay.

United's position remains that they will not let David de Gea go unless Madrid agree to negotiate on Ramos, and the player could try to force Madrid's hand. Should United's position, and that of Ramos, remain steadfast then Madrid would essentially have to decide whether it is more important for them to have De Gea or Ramos.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rubbished speculation linking Thomas Muller with a move to United.

Reports in Germany recently emerged suggesting the Red Devils were preparing a staggering €100 million bid for the World Cup winner.

Thomas Muller

However, Rummenigge, who is currently in China as part of Bayern's pre-season tour, has dismissed the speculation, declaring that the World Cup winner is simply unsellable.

"There are players who don't have a price tag," declared Rummenigge. "We would have lost our senses if we allowed such a player to leave. It's a hoax that left Munich but then sunk in the Pacific. There's nothing in it."

Aston Villa are monitoring developments with Ashley Young at Manchester United. The 30-year-old has one year left on his contract and has yet to sign a new deal.

According to The Daily Mail, Villa are pursuing other targets, including Emmanuel Adebayor and Andros Townsend, but the latter is keen to stay at White Hart Lane.

Ashley Young

United look set to continue their summer spending after reportedly bidding £17.6 million for Lazio's Lucas Biglia.

Corriere dello Sport claims the Old Trafford outfit are in talks to sign the 29-year-old Argentina international, who has three years left on his deal with Le Aquile.

And finally, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reportedly been offered a three-year contract worth in excess of £7 million by Man Utd.

The Sweden captain is understood to be open to leaving the Parc des Princes this summer, and has been heavily linked with a move to United. The Metro claims Turkish giants Galatasaray have also tabled an offer.