Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United amid transfer drama

The prodigal son is set to return to Old Trafford. With Manchester City, reportedly, pulling out of the race to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, who threw their hat late into the ring, have, reportedly, pulled off the stunning transfer. The club confirmed the development in a statement.

Though the details of the deal are not official yet, United have, reportedly, offered 25 million euros and other add-ons to Juventus, and a two-year contract to Ronaldo.

It was confirmed on Friday that the Portugal forward plans to leave Juventus. Coach Massimiliano Allegri said earlier in the day that Ronaldo, 36, had told the Italian club that he had no intention of staying on this season, amid media speculation that City were planning to sign him.

There were reports that City, who had wanted to sign Tottenham Hotspur's England striker Harry Kane, were willing to offer a two-year contract to Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of this era. But the negotiations broke down, following which the Red Devils entered the frame.

Ronaldo spent six seasons at Old Trafford, from 2003-2009, where he won eight major trophies plus the Ballon d'Or in 2008. He scored 118 goals and won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2007-08 season – the year when United won their last Champions League title. Ronaldo was then signed up by Real Madrid for then world record transfer fee of 80 million pounds.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, earlier today, had told a news conference that his club were in touch with Ronaldo, whose Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes plays for United."We've always had a good communication," Solskjaer said. "Bruno's been talking (to Ronaldo) as well and he knows what we feel about him. If he was ever going to move away from Juventus he knows we're here.

"I don't want to speculate too much. He is such a legend of this club, the greatest player of all time if you ask me. I was fortunate enough to play with him, to coach him. He's such a tremendous human being as well. Let's see. Everyone who has played with him has a soft spot for him."

United have signed winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and centre-back Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, among others.