Some footballers came really close to joining Major League Soccer, others were only loosely linked with a move, while a few made it to the newspaper and online rumours despite having little real intention of playing in the United States. For one reason or another, several blockbuster transfers never materialised.
By the middle of 2022, Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo was approaching the end of his four-year spell at Juventus and looking for a new challenge. At 37, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had interest from Saudi Arabia and, more surprisingly, Manchester City, according to media reports from the time.
