Skip to content

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe stay but Alexis Sanchez and Alvaro Morata to move?

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 29:  Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's opening goal  during the La Liga match
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo: Set to stay at Real Madrid?

Alexis Sanchez, Kylian Mbappe and Alvaro Morata and now Cristiano Ronaldo are dominating the transfer headlines this summer.

But is Ronaldo really likely to leave Real Madrid? Or will the summer's biggest deal be elsewhere? We look to the odds to make some sense of the speculation...

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Final
Image: Could Ronaldo be on his way back to Manchester United?

Just weeks after winning the La Liga and Champions League double, Ronaldo is being linked with a move away from the Bernabeu.

The Portuguese star is reportedly infuriated by tax charges from the Spanish government and wants to leave the country, naturally leading to suggestions of a return to Manchester United, the club he left for £80m in 2009.

However, there is nothing to suggest Real Madrid would be keen to sell their key man and the bookies are not convinced he'd be allowed to leave, with the 'remain' option just 1/2.

A return to Old Trafford is considered the most likely alternative at 9/4 followed by PSG securing his services at 7/1, with all other options 20/1 or above, including Bayern Munich who have already ruled out an approach.

Sky Bet verdict: Stays at Real Madrid

Also See:

Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe appears dejected following the 2-0 Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Juventus
Image: Kylian Mbappe has enjoyed a breakout season at Monaco

If Ronaldo is to depart this summer then Real Madrid will certainly be on the hunt for a new 'Galactico', and there are few more exciting young stars out there than Mbappe.

The 18-year-old announced himself on the global stage with six goals in the Champions League as Monaco made it to the semi-finals, while also establishing himself as a France international.

However, the French champions are expected to want a world-record fee to let the teenager depart, limiting the options significantly.

Real Madrid are the favourites at 2/1 followed by Arsenal (7/2) and Manchester City (8/1), but the hefty price tag means that the 'to stay' option is once again most likely, albeit marginally odds-against, at 5/4.

Sky Bet verdict: Stays at Monaco

Dani Alves

Juventus's Dani Alves celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match against Monaco in Turin in May 2017
Image: Dani Alves has been linked with a move to Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has made a full-back overhaul one of his priorities this summer after allowing Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta to leave.

With two players expected to be required on each flank and Aleksandar Kolarov, who was utilised in a central role last season, the only senior full-back left at the club, City could sign as many as four players in the wide defensive areas.

Experienced Brazilian right-back Dani Alves is the latest to be linked, with a £5million deal muted, despite his part in leading Juventus to the Champions League final.

The bookmakers are convinced by reports this time, with a run of bets prompting his odds on heading to the Etihad Stadium prompting the price to tumble to 1/3, while he's 11/2 to remain in Turin.

Sky Bet verdict: Joins Manchester City

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane
Image: Alexis Sanchez could leave Arsenal for Premier League rivals Manchester City

The one player whose future Sky Bet struggle to make sense of is Alexis Sanchez, with no single outcome currently odds-on.

Remaining at Arsenal is a 13/8 chance despite Arsene Wenger suggesting he will not be sold this summer, while links to Bayern Munich seemed to have cooled, with their price drifting out to 7/2, having been as short as 4/9.

Manchester City are the new favourites at 11/8 with the Chilean thought to be their other main priority, with the prospect of landing Sanchez, four full-backs along with the already signed duo Bernardo Silva (£43m) and Ederson (£34.7m) propelling their summer spending towards the £200m mark.

Sky Bet verdict: Joins Manchester City

Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata celebrates after scoring during a La Liga match against Celta Vigo on August 27, 2016
Image: Alvaro Morata may be on his way to Old Trafford

While attention has swayed towards Ronaldo's future, it is his team-mate Alvaro Morata who is considered the most likely player to arrive at Old Trafford from the Bernabeu.

The Spanish striker's playing time was limited to just 14 league starts and four in the Champions League last season, despite boasting the second best goals-per-minute ratio in La Liga behind Lionel Messi.

Once again, Real are not thought to be keen to sell but United are reportedly maintaining their pursuit despite a £80m price tag, having opted not to extend Zlatan Ibrahimovic's contract.

They are just 2/7 to secure his services with Chelsea 8/1 to hijack the deal, while the 24-year-old is 4/1 to remain in Madrid.

Sky Bet verdict: Joins Manchester United

Around Sky