Atletico Madrid take first step to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Man Utd

Atletico Madrid will reportedly make room in their budget to sign Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo by offloading Antoine Griezmann.

It's believed Ronaldo, 37, wants to leave United after they failed to qualify for the Champions League last season. The Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League - recording their lowest points tally (58) in 32 years - and will compete in the Europa League.

Atletico can offer Ronaldo Champions League football after finishing third in La Liga last season. Few teams are interested in signing the Portugal skipper from United with Bayern Munich announcing they won't be making a move for him earlier this month.

According to The Times, Atletico can't sign Ronaldo unless they reduce their wage bill due to La Liga rules. It's claimed they offered Paris Saint-Germain the chance to sign Griezmann, who is currently on loan at Atletico from Barcelona, last week.

PSG have reportedly rejected that opportunity as they are looking to offload a several underperforming players - including Neymar - themselves. Griezmann, 31, scored just three La Liga goals last season - the worst scoring return of his career to date.

Barcelona signed Griezmann from Atletico in a €120million (£102m) deal three years ago and he re-joined his former employers on a two-year loan last summer. Atletico are required to buy him for €40m (£34m) before June 2023, as per the agreement.

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Atletico will reportedly activate this clause and move Griezmann out of their squad - perhaps on loan - to accommodate Ronaldo. He will have to join a club that can afford to cover his wages as Atletico can't pay both forwards. Griezmann is believed to be their highest earner on around £350,000-a-week, while Ronaldo takes home £480,000-a-week.

Ronaldo is said to be keen on a move to Atletico due to Diego Simeone's 'eagerness' to work with him. Simeone will admire the veteran's record as he found the net 24 times for United last season. No Atletico player scored more than 13 goals in 2021/22.

Despite this, Ronaldo would be taking a huge risk by joining Atletico. He is a legend at local rivals Real Madrid, scoring a club-record 450 goals during a nine-year spell. A move to Atletico could tarnish the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's legacy at the Bernabeu.

United also want to keep him. Manager Erik ten Hag is planning for him to be part of his squad for the new campaign and a departure would leave them in the lurch. A switch to Atletico wouldn't tarnish his Old Trafford legacy, but it wouldn't be welcomed.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo was recently asked about the Ronaldo rumours during a club meal at a restaurant in Madrid. "You have to ask me more difficult questions," replied the administrator. "To easy questions, simple answers. It is considered answered."

Cerezo went on to say: "We are here for dinner, an early season dinner, with a wonderful squad, sensational players and a fantastic manager. We have everything, what more can we ask for?"