Cristiano Ronaldo made no secret of his desire to leave Manchester United over the summer.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was said to be keen to cut short his second stint at Old Trafford after the Red Devils' poor 21/22 campaign.

United recorded their worst points total of the Premier League era, ultimately meaning they missed out on Champions League qualification for this season.

As that competition's greatest ever goalscorer, Ronaldo wasn't happy about dropping into the Europa League at the age of 37.

In order to try and secure himself Champions League football in 2022/23, the Portuguese legend instructed his agent Jorge Mendes to seek a move to another top club in Europe.

Which clubs were interested in Ronaldo over the summer?

In short, not many.

Mendes' attempts to convince Champions League clubs to bring Ronaldo in proved fruitless, with both his age and considerable salary demands counting against him.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on September 04, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Throughout the transfer window, rumours swirled about interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. However, none ever made a formal offer.

One team, though, did present Ronaldo and his representatives with a deal - and was a pretty staggering one at that.

Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal may not have been able to provide Champions League football, but they did offer the largest weekly salary ever seen in professional football.

How much did Al-Hilal offer Ronaldo to join them?

Per a report from AS earlier this month, Ronaldo was offered a two-year contract worth an eye-watering £210 million to join the club.

That equates to £2m a week and would have been roughly four times what he currently rakes in at the 'Theatre of Dreams' as the Premier League's highest earner.

READ MORE: The crazy Saudi contract offered to Ronaldo

Why didn't Ronaldo join Al-Hilal?

Shortly after the news of Al-Hilal's crazy bid for Ronaldo surfaced, reports began to circulate that the player wasn't interested in continuing his career outside of Europe.

However, per the Daily Mail, Al-Hilal president Fahad ben Nafel has revealed that Ronaldo was happy with all aspects of the deal 'in principle', insisting that missing out on the Champions League was not a sticking point for the Man United star.

Buy your Ronaldo GOAT t-shirt

Cristiano Ronaldo GMS shop

Cristiano Ronaldo GMS shop

Instead, Ben Nafel blamed a transfer ban imposed by Saudi football chiefs for the collapse of the move.

"Yes, we negotiated with Ronaldo. The problem was not in the money or the principle. 

"Al-Hilal is able to bring in the stars of the world, but it was in the decision of the Sports Arbitration Center that prevented us from registering players.

"'We did not stop negotiating with the players despite the decision to ban, but we were delaying entering the final stage of the negotiations until the ban was lifted," Ben Nafel concluded.

Ronaldo shambles at Man Utd! Via The Football Terrace

What led to the Al-Hilal transfer ban - and who else plays for them?

Al-Hilal were slapped with the transfer ban back in May after their midfielder Mohamed Kannoto changed his mind on a move to Al-Nassr at the very last minute, leaving the player with signed contracts at two separate clubs.

That disciplinary action apparently left the club unable to sign Ronaldo, who would have linked up with names including former West Bromwich Albion attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira and ex-Man Utd loanee Odion Ighalo in the Al-Hilal squad had he joined.

Where does Ronaldo's future lie?

Now very much on the fringes of Erik ten Hag's plans at Old Trafford, Ronaldo could push for an exit once again when the January transfer window opens.

Per Goal, several other Saudi clubs are said to be looking at putting together a bid for his services at that time.

Ronaldo could yet make a record-breaking move to Saudi Arabia before he hangs up his boots.