Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn has confirmed that his club held discussions over signing Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer - but opted against a move.
Ronaldo, 37, was intent on departing United after his high-profile return from Juventus the previous year did not go to plan. Despite netting 24 goals across all competitions last season, United's collective form nosedived and they finished a distant sixth in the Premier League.
The Portuguese superstar was left "upset" at seeing his pay slashed at Man United after each member of the squad was hit with a 25 per cent cut to their weekly wage due to the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League. Yet Ronaldo was unable to secure an exit, with no side willing to meet his wage demands and guarantee him regular football.
It has left an uneasy situation for the club and player, with Ronaldo excluded from the starting line-ups of each of United's last five Premier League matches. He remains their highest-earning player but has fallen behind Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial in the pecking order under Erik ten Hag.
The former Real Madrid superstar was forced to watch the entirety of United's chastening 6-3 derby defeat against Manchester City from the bench – despite five substitutions being available to Ten Hag. The Dutchman's decision to bring on Martial as a substitute instead of Ronaldo was justified as the Frenchman netted twice.
The list of potential destinations for Ronaldo has shortened in recent years, with few clubs able to justify the outlay on his wages – with doubts over whether he would be a regular starter at any leading European club. Bayern CEO Kahn has explained that his club considered the idea – as did their Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund – before it was dismissed.
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Kahn said in an interview with Bild, as cited by Diario AS: "We talked briefly about Cristiano at Bayern and probably also at Dortmund. We also see the big picture in the Bundesliga and an important factor in drawing attention to the league is of course superstars like him. He is one of the greatest of the last decade, but we quickly wrote him off."
Despite his failure to secure an Old Trafford exit in the summer, it has been suggested that he could leave the club in January. However, United football director John Murtough poured cold water on the idea that there will be first-team movements in or out of the club this winter, suggesting that Ronaldo will not be going anywhere, despite his lack of regular football.
