Cristiano Ronaldo is returning to Europe, and Bayern Munich and Arsenal have announced plans to buy him during the summer transfer window.

Businessman Markus Schon is looking into an unusual arrangement that could see him finance a move for Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo to join Bayern Munich this summer. Ronaldo left Manchester United for Al-Nassr in the middle of the 2022–23 season.

Midway through the season, Ronaldo agreed to leave Manchester United and signed for Al-Nassr. Although he has 13 goals for his current team, which is second in the Saudi Pro League, there are still rumors that the veteran may return to Europe.

Before Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr, Bayern was rumored to be interested in signing him, but CEO Oliver Kahn quickly ruled that out. But now, the German title contenders have been given a new chance.

According to Schon, who wrote the following, “It would be conceivable that we could undertake to pay a transfer fee or loan fee in excess of a basic amount to be defined if our company is clearly seen as ‘facilitating’ the difference,” according to Abendzeitung (via Football Transfers). “To reduce our financial risk in the event of a permanent commitment, we would expect a portion of the jersey’s sales proceeds.”

The billionaire is alleged to have sent Kahn a direct email with his suggestion. Any agreement, meanwhile, would require Ronaldo to accept a wage cut from his current Al-Nassr contract. Ronaldo is now the highest-paid footballer in the world thanks to his contract with Saudi Arabia, which is reportedly worth £173 million annually. His contract with the team continues through 2025.

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Schon’s plan would need Kahn to change his mind in order to be successful. The club president, who was also a goalkeeper for Bayern and Germany, said in November that the Bavarian club’s goals didn’t suit a move for the forward, who is now 38.

“We have previously dealt with this,” Kahn said to Sky Germany. “We have a clear vision, a clear philosophy, as to how our squad should be assembled. There is no disagreement about how much we all value him. We all like Cristiano Ronaldo, but it doesn’t fit with our worldview.

When Ronaldo sought a Champions League transfer last summer, Bayern was one of the clubs mentioned in connection with a move. He led Man Utd in scoring last season, but the Premier League team finished well outside the top four.

The club’s viewpoint had also been made plain by Kahn throughout the summer. Bayern did improve their front line, but they did so by bringing in Matthys Tel from Rennes and Sadio Mane from Liverpool.

Even though I consider Cristiano Ronaldo to be one of the best, a transfer wouldn’t line up with our guiding principles, the CEO said at the time. “I adore Cristiano Ronaldo, and everyone is aware of his incredible talent. However, each club has its own philosophies, so I’m not sure if signing him now would be the best move for Bayern and the Bundesliga.