Manchester United Transfer News: Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Gotze And Zaha Discussed In Latest Speculation
Cristiano Ronaldo has cast further doubt on his Real Madrid future by refusing to discuss whether he will renew his contract at Real Madrid. There has been much speculation about the Portuguese forward’s future in recent months after he claimed to be “sad” for professional reasons back in September.
Spanish publication AS recently claimed that Ronaldo would not be extending his deal at the Bernabeu, which is set to expire in the summer of 2015. The report also stated that the player was keen on a return to Manchester United.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the 27-year-old was non-committal about his future at the club which he joined in a record £80 million deal in 2009.
“This has already been spoken about and I'm not going to discuss my contract renewal anymore; it's not the most important thing at the moment, the most important thing is winning our next matches,” he said. “We're fighting for the league, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. It's not important until that's over. It's important we stick together."
Ronaldo also spoke of his relationship with Manchester United, who Real Madrid face in the next round of the Champions League in February.
“I've got a lot of affection for my friends there,” he revealed. “It's a team that has played a large part in my career. People there know me well and the people I know there have a place in my heart. But now I play for Real Madrid; there will be some sadness, but I want to win and score, and do my best."
In other news, Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans Watzke has dismissed any possibility of Manchester United target Robert Lewandowski leaving the club in the January transfer window.
The Poland international has just 18 months remaining on his contract and there have been claims of late that a move to Old Trafford has already been agreed for next summer. But there appears to be no hope of United securing Lewandowski before that with Watzke claiming that a move this month would happen for “no price in the world,” according to German publication Kicker.
Another German outlet Bild has been discussing the future of Lewandowski’s Dortmund teammate Mario Gotze with club director Michael Zorc. The story names Manchester United as one of the clubs who are keeping a close eye on the 20-year-old midfielder, along with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Zorc has said that he intends to keep hold of the Germany international for a long time.
“Mario is a long term contract with us,” he told Bild. “He feels with his family and his friends very well at BVB and in the city of Dortmund. There is no tendency that this will change. Mario is an absolutely exceptional player. And he's only 20 years old, consequently nowhere near the end of its development.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that he will not be bringing any players in this month but there continues to be speculation that the club are keen to tie sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha. According to TalkSport, United have received a boost in their pursuit of the 20-year-old with Arsenal dropping out of the race as they close in on resigning Theo Walcott to a new contract.
Tottenham and United are now said to be heading the chase, with both clubs prepared to allow Zaha to remain at Palace for the remainder of the season.
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