Sporting confirm ‘dream’ of emotional Cristiano Ronaldo transfer but admit they can’t afford exiled Man Utd star’s wages

SPORTING LISBON boss Ruben Amorim admits the club are “dreaming” of re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo.

But the Manchester United star’s wages are proving to be a stumbling block.

Ronaldo, 37, faces an uncertain future after throwing a tantrum against Tottenham.

The veteran missed United’s draw at Chelsea as he was banished from first-team training.

However, he could be in line to face Sheriff in the Europa League tomorrow after returning to the fold.

But with the January transfer window approaching, teams are beginning to scramble for Ronaldo’s signature.

SunSport exclusively revealed on Monday that Napoli are weighing up a swoop for Ronnie.

And it seems boyhood club Sporting remain in the race too.

Ronaldo played with the Portuguese side until his first United move in 2003.

But Sporting are hoping they can convince him into a second spell as they struggle to keep pace with Benfica and Porto.

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Boss Amorim, who turned down Aston Villa this week, claims everyone at the club is “dreaming” about seeing Ronaldo back in the famous green-and-white stripes.

But the superstar currently pockets a mammoth wage worth £360,000-a-week at United.

And Amorim admits that is miles out of Sporting’s reach, putting a move in serious doubt.

He said: “I don’t know. Ronaldo is a top player, a Man United player.

“Everyone in Sporting dreams of the return of Cristiano, so I don’t want to speak about that.

“He’s a Manchester United player, a top player, and he will be for a few months.

“I’m going to respond the same way as a lot of journalists in Portugal ask me that question a lot. He is a Manchester United player.

“Everybody in Sporting dreams of the return for Cristiano but we don’t have the money to pay his wages.

“I think he is happy in Manchester but is not playing so that is the problem.”