Bayern Munich have reportedly rejected the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
The 37-year-old only returned to Old Trafford last summer and has another year on his contract, with the option to extend that deal until 2024. But after a campaign which saw United record their lowest ever Premier League points tally - the Red Devils are in the midst of an overhaul.
Erik ten Hag is undertaking his first summer in charge and has already seen the likes of Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata depart. The former Ajax boss is expected to implement a system which incorporates a high press, a style that doesn’t come naturally to the veteran forward.
Ten Hag has insisted Ronaldo will be an important part of his project, having scored 24 goals in all competitions despite a difficult season collectively. Ronaldo himself has also stated he is looking forward to working with the new boss, but that has done little to stem the tide of speculation.
Spanish news outlet AS reported this week that Ronaldo is growing increasingly concerned at the club’s direction in the transfer market - having thus far failed to sign a single player. Barcelona ’s Frenkie de Jong remains United’s top target, but other moves appear to be on hold until negotiations with the Blaugrana are confirmed.
That has Ronaldo concerned, with Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal all improving already. Sky Sports in Germany report that the Portuguese’s agent and long-time confidant Jorge Mendes looked to engineer an exit and offered his client to German champions Bayern Munich.
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However, there will be no move to the Allianz for Ronaldo, with the club’s director Hasan Salihamidzic speaking out on the speculation. " Cristiano Ronaldo is a top player with an outstanding career. However, the rumour that is circulating is a rumour that has nothing to do with it."
It is added that Bayern compiled a list of four reasons for not pursuing a move for Ronaldo, who could have been seen as a replacement for wantaway forward Robert Lewandwoski . The primary reason is said to be their determination to maintain a wage structure considering the goalscoring icon currently pockets around £500,000-per-week from his current employers.
Along with his salary, there was a concern with his age and perhaps most significantly, his ability to play in a high-pressing system, with a focus on players willing to put in the hard yards. Finally, with manager Julian Nageslmann some three years younger than Ronaldo, there were reservations over what his arrival would do to the dressing room dynamics.
So with a move to Munich seemingly off the table, full focus can return to matters in Manchester and his first pre-season with Ten Hag. "I know he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach," he said of the new manager.
"But we need to give him time and things need to change -- the way he wants. I hope we have success of course. Because if you have success, all of Manchester are going to have success as well.
"So I wish him the best. We are happy and excited -- not only the players but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's hope that next year we're going to win trophies."
