Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is 'looking for his next club' as he remains desperate to seal his Old Trafford departure, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The forward returned to the Red Devils for a second spell last year, but there have been serious doubts over his long-term future for a number of months.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Ronaldo?
Ronaldo told the Manchester United hierarchy that he wanted to leave the club if a satisfactory offer was submitted during the summer transfer window due to his determination to continue competing in the Champions League.
Although the Portugal international was unable to move onto pastures new, his agent Jorge Mendes worked around the clock in an attempt to find a solution.
Mendes held a meeting with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly during the summer, where the possibility of a switch to Stamford Bridge was discussed, while he returned to west London for further talks as the deadline neared.
It is understood that the super-agent also headed to Napoli with the proposal of Ronaldo moving to the Serie A side while Manchester United bought Victor Osimhen.
In an unexpected twist, Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri has urged the former Real Madrid man to join him in Italy by commenting on a social media post.
What has Dean Jones said about Ronaldo?
Jones believes Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be allowed to purchase a new centre forward when the transfer window reopens in January.
The journalist reckons the Red Devils hierarchy are open to the idea as Ronaldo is continuing to seek a way out of Old Trafford.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "If United need a striker in January, they will get the backing to do so.
"We have to consider that Ronaldo will still be looking for his next club."
How has Ronaldo performed so far this season?
Ronaldo may be a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, which emphasises his immense talent, but he has not been at his best during the early stages of the campaign.
The 37-year-old has only grabbed one goal so far, although he has been restricted to just 378 minutes of action.
In fact, Ronaldo has not been handed a Premier League start since the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Brentford last month.
His Manchester United career may be coming to a close in the not-too-distant future, but he has found the back of the net 143 times in 338 appearances, meaning he will go down in history as a club legend.