The race for former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo's signature has started, with a number of clubs having already been linked with a move for the Portugal forward following his Old Trafford departure.
On Tuesday evening, United announced that they had reached a mutual agreement with the striker to go their separate ways following a tumultuous few months.
Read: 'What Ten Hag did to Ronaldo was humiliating'
A statement from the club revealed that the 37-year-old's exit was "immediate", leaving the player with the freedom to join any side in January.
Recent reports have indicated that Chelsea are still considering signing Ronaldo after the possibility of acquiring the superstar as a free agent became apparent.
According to Marca, however, he is "torn" between the idea of a lucrative move to the Middle East or staying put in England, where a switch to high-flying Newcastle United is also possible.
Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr are said to be the team the veteran is considering joining in the Middles East after the president of the Saudi Arabian Football Association, Yasser Al-Misehal, revealed his plan in September to lure the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to his country.
Interestingly, Al-Nassr are owned by the same group, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, that took over Newcastle last year, and with the Geordie team impressing seriously ever since – they are currently third in the Premier League this season –it is reported that Ronaldo could become their first superstar signing following the takeover.
There are more teams who have been mooted as Ronaldo's next destination since his exit from Old Trafford was confirmed, though.
One of them is Fiorentina, whose owner Rocco Commisso is considering making an audacious offer for the striker, according to Calciomercatoweb.
However, the absence of UEFA Champions League football – something Ronaldo is said to still desire – in Florence could prove an obstacle.
Read: Ronaldo breaks silence on Man Utd exit
Prior to confirmation of his departure from United, his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon were also said to be targeting the player in the January transfer window, with speculation of a return to his boyhood club gaining prominence when the forward's mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, revealed that it is her dream to see her son return to the Portuguese side.
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WATCH: RONALDO TO LEAVE UNITED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT