In very surprising news, Arsenal have been reported to hold an interest in signing Cristiano Ronaldo on a six-month contract until the end of the season.
The Gunners have lost Gabriel Jesus to injury following his participation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with Brazil. His recovery is set to take at least three months which means that Mikel Arteta will be without one of his most important players for a large spell post resumption.
The Spaniard confirmed recently that the club is in the market for reinforcements for the team and a replacement for Jesus. Some names have already been mentioned and now, reports suggest that former Manchester United man Cristiano Ronaldo is one of those that the club is looking at signing.
Ronaldo’s first stint in the Premier League almost came with Arsenal under Arsene Wenger but Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United were quicker to sign the Portugal international. Now, it looks like the Gunners are about to get their man after almost 20 years.
Ronaldo is currently assessing his options after being released from his Manchester United contract during the World Cup. Al-Nassr, a Saudi Pro League club, have already approached Ronaldo with a mega contract offer which reports claim that the 37-year-old is interested in. This means that if Arsenal is to beat the Saudis, they have to match their offer or convince Ronaldo to lower his astronomical wages and join them.
Arsenal, however, present him with a rare chance to not end the season empty handed. It will be two seasons in a row where he has not won something, if he makes it to the end of the current season in Europe.
This news is to be taken lightly as there are no serious reportages on it. However, it is an interesting prospect for Arsenal, who are in need of a goalscorer.
Arsenal’s pacy style may not be a good fit for Ronaldo at this stage of his career because he has lost some of his pace. However, he will provide them with a very big goal threat, something they desperately need as they go into the most important phase of the season.
Meanwhile, the club has been linked with another midfield target from Ronaldo’s home country of Portugal.
Ibrahim Bamba of Vitoria Guimaraes in the Portuguese Primeira Liga is the reported target and the midfielder, who is said to cost €30 million, has already been contacted by Arsenal, who have also reached out to the club about signing him in January.
Bamba joins Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, Valencia midfielder and Arsenal Hale End graduate Yunus Musah and Palmeiras prospect Danilo as potential options to shore up the centre
