Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear he wants to leave Old Trafford this summer, ahead of the new season.

Jorge Mendes, agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, is believed to have held talks with the fierce rivals of Real Madrid, and has opened up on the availability of Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is said to be desperate to play in the Champions League next season, something which Manchester United can’t offer him after they missed out on Champions League qualification following a disastrous 2021-22 season.

The Portugal international has reportedly informed Manchester United he wants to move on if a suitable offer is received,  and has told his agent Jorge Mendes to fashion out a deal.

Chelsea have been most strongly linked with him, but Barcelona have come into the picture as well.

Mendes is understood to have held a meeting with Barca president Joan Laporta on Monday, according to AS.

Ronaldo didn’t train with his Manchester United teammates on Monday, despite being scheduled to return with the rest of United’s internationals.

The Portugal international informed the club he would not be present due to family reasons – an explanation the club accepted.

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to play in the UEFA Champions League because he wants to be the greatest goalscorer of all time in the competition.

Cascarino claims Ronaldo is worried Messi would usurp him as the most prolific UEFA Champions League goalscorer, which is why he wants a move away from Old Trafford, even though it’s a move to to his former rivals.

Cascarino told talkSPORT: “Ronaldo is a player, as always, that has an ego. A lot of it is about him, but the teams he’s played in have been successful, so you always go with that as a team player.

“Great, he scores goals; he gets the accolades; he’s one of the greatest that has ever played the game. You can have all that, and that is fine, as long as you are winning.

He added: “When you don’t win, now you have got a problem. I said to you off-air, I’m a bit suspicious because he has scored 141 goals in the Champions League.

“Messi has got 125. He doesn’t want to not play Champions League football because he wants to be the greatest Champions League goalscorer of all time, and that is how Ronaldo is made.”

Despite the struggles of last season, Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 appearances for a struggling Manchester United side.