Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronalo has been sensationally linked with a move to Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
It is not a rumour that many Blues supporters would have envisaged just a few months ago but the club's new owner Todd Boehly is thought to be keen to add marquee new signings to Thomas Tuchel's squad before the window closes and Ronaldo certainly fits that criteria. The 37-year-old is also extremely keen to play in the UEFA Champions League, with United failing to qualify for the elite European competition last season, something Chelsea had no such trouble doing.
So with that said, football.london have taken a look at the latest reports linking the former Real Madrid frontman with a move away from Old Trafford.
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Agent offered
According to Corriere dello Sport, via Sportmediaset, Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes offered the footballing icon to both Inter Milan and AC Milan. The Portuguese international is keen to leave Manchester United and play in the UEFA Champions League, although the two Serie A giants are said to have declined a move given the player's excessive salary.
Manchester United response
According to Sky Sports, via the Mirror, the Manchester United have "no issue" in Ronaldo leaving the game against Rayo Vallecano early. It is clarified that several first-team stars were allowed to leave after their involvement in the game had come to an end and that the striker was not the only one to do so.
Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to leave his side's 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano early in pre-season, pictured leaving Old Trafford before the final whistle. The forward made his return to action in the pre-season friendly, playing 45 minutes for the Red Devils.
Players are most often seen sticking around until the end of the game, however his early exit may indicate his commitment to the cause. or lack of it.
Erik ten Hag plan
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was unable to give a date for the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, but clarified that he would be integrated into the squad once he is back. When asked for an update, he told reports: "No. It's the same as last week. Of course, concerning is maybe not the right word (over his absence).
"I focus on the players who are there and they are doing really well. They are in good shape and I have further focus on that and develop that. I cannot wait for him to come in and then we will integrate him."
Chelsea 'one step closer' to Ronaldo
Chelsea are "one step closer" to signing Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, according to reports. The Portugal international has been heavily linked with an exit from Old Trafford as he looks to continue competing in the biggest competitions.
Portuguese football expert Pedro Sepulveda told Sky Sports on Thursday: "I can't see Ronaldo from Man Utd next season. The two main teams one step closer than the others are Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
"I can see him playing for those two teams - Chelsea have a new owner, a new project, with money to spend on transfers. "
"He [Ronaldo] is still in Lisbon - he's not been hiding somewhere in Europe, he's in Lisbon and hasn't changed his routine to hide from the journalists and people who want to see him. He was spotted on his balcony at his apartments, he's still posting some pictures during his workouts and training.
"He's still waiting for what Jorge Mendes will tell him to do - we don't know if he'll travel to Manchester, and even if he does it doesn't mean he will stay at United."
Todd Boehly boost
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is prepared to cover the full financial package of signing Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Sky Sports journalist Angelo Mangiante. While the striker is viewing a return to the Champions League this season, he has yet to decide on his future beyond Old Trafford.
Thomas Tuchel decision
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has '"little interest" in signing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, according to the Independent. Despite that, the Blues are yet to make a concrete decision on the Portugal international and whether he will join the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo told he could 'spoil' Man Utd legacy with Chelsea transfer as £14m bid prepared
Former Real Madrid, Liverpool and Man City star Steve McManaman has warned the six-time Ballon d'Or winner of the severe consequences that could follow if he was to give the green light to a west London move.
"I'd be amazed if he went to Chelsea. Amazed. I can't see him going to another English team. I just cannot see it happening. It'll spoil his legacy after everything he has done at Manchester United," he told BettingOdds.com.
"PSG don't need Ronaldo. It just muddies the water. It might be a newspaper writer's dream to have Messi and Ronaldo in the same team three months before the Qatar World Cup, but come on, it just seems nonsensical."
Cristiano Ronaldo's true transfer value revealed as Chelsea prepare £14m bid for Man United star
With Chelsea reportedly preparing a £14million opening offer for Cristiano Ronaldo, will that be enough to tempt Man United into selling their iconic No.7 this summer?
According to Goal's Bruno Andrade, the Glazer family are willing to cash in for Ronaldo if his decision doesn't change. They are set to open negotiations with interested parties at around £13million.
This ties in perfectly with what journalist Pete O'Rourke has reported as he's suggested that Todd Boehly is preparing a £14million bid which could well and truly open up these negotiations despite United not wanting to sell to a direct Premier League rival.
However, with Bayern Munich ruling themselves out and PSG not wanting the 'bling' factor anymore, the Blues could have a somewhat free run at trying to poach the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, but how much will they need to pay to secure this dream signing?
As per Transfermarkt, Ronaldo is valued at around £27million, nearly £10million more than what the CIES Football Observatory state his current market value is in their estimation. Nevertheless, if a £14million proposal was to be accepted, Boehly could save a potential £13million on a transfer swoop for the Portuguese icon.
Where Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted amid Manchester United absence as Chelsea consider transfer
Cristiano Ronaldo has been spotted in an unexpected place after Man United had excused their club icon from his pre-season return amid strong Chelsea transfer talk.
The Athletic have exclusively reported that the new Blues board are considering making the 37-year-old one of their so-called 'marquee' signings this summer as talks with super-agent Jorge Mendes continue after the first meeting last week.
The player who had racked up a total of 3066 minutes for United last term in all competitions, as per FBRef.com, was excused from returning to Carrington due to family reasons, but his appearance in a certain location has left more questions than answers.
As per Portuguese Journalist Pedro Sepulveda, Ronaldo has been present at the Portugal National Football team's base in Lisbon today as a video shows him reversing out of the car park to head somewhere else.
Ronaldo wants United exit
Ronaldo has reportedly asked to leave Manchester United this summer, with the striker eager to continue playing in the Champions League. The decision came shortly after Todd Boehly discussed the possibility of bringing him to Chelsea this summer.
Bayern Munich have also reportedly been in touch over a potential deal as Erik ten Hag begins his reign at Old Trafford this summer. Ronaldo's future has been the subject of plenty of speculation since the Dutchman's appointment was announced, and it is looking increasingly likely he could leave this summer.
A report from The Times revealed that he had asked United to let him leave the club this summer if a suitable offer comes in for his services. While the Champions League is a factor in the decision, a traumatic year off the pitch has also played its part after the death of his daughter put a significant strain on him and his family.
Todd Boehly meeting
Todd Boehly is said to have met Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes to discuss a potential transfer swoop for the Portuguese star as he grows disgruntled at the lack of business Manchester United have done so far this summer.
With 12 months left on his contract and not knowing how long he has left at the top level, the potential of a transfer exit this summer, one year after returning to United, is on the cards, with Bayern Munich already turning down this idea. Step up, Chelsea.
And, The Athletic have reported that new owner Boehly met with Ronaldo's agent Mendes in Portugal to discuss a number of topics. The Portugal international's future was one of the things discussed in this encounter.
Ronaldo's verdict on his future
Ronaldo has already indirectly rubbished any chances of moving to Chelsea by admitting that he is 'happy' to be where he is right now in the Premier League amid speculation that the forward is beginning to become frustrated with the transfer activity of the Red Devils.
However, Ronaldo has admitted that he is 'happy' where he is to rubbish any potential Chelsea transfer talk, as the 37-year-old has also looked forward to life under Ten Hag next season. "I was and still am very happy to be here," he said in a recent interview. "I know (Ten Hag) did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach, but we need to give him time, and things need to change the way he wants.
"I hope we have success. I wish him the best. We are happy and excited. Let's believe that next year we are going to win trophies. I believe that Manchester [United] will be where they belong. Sometimes it takes time, but I still believe."
Thomas Tuchel's verdict
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has already labelled Man United's Cristiano Ronaldo as 'one of the greatest' players of all time amid shock transfer talks between new owner Todd Boehly and Jorge Mendes.
Just like he said with Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar in the past, the German, who had to see Ronaldo score against his side in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford last term, went on record to declare that he believes Ronaldo to be one of the 'greatest' players to have stepped foot on the football pitch. "Time will tell, but I think it is not a secret that any team in the world without Cristiano [Ronaldo] is in some parts of the game a weaker team," he was quoted saying in the past via The Daily Express.
"He is one of the greatest who has ever played this game, and he proves it every time he is on the field. Now [he is] in the Premier League and in the Champions League, so they lost a big champion, a big point of reference and a big personality. But you can win games and be a strong team without Cristiano Ronaldo. This is also true."
Man United's and Erik ten Hag's stance on Ronaldo
Although Man United's owners may view the prospect of cashing in on a player who is earning around £480,000-per-week as an enticing one, new manager Ten Hag has already made solid plans to have the Portuguese international as one of the big players he relies upon next season.
There is even talk that Steve McClaren's former assistant could strip Harry Maguire of the captaincy in order to hand Ronaldo more responsibility as United face a big season to even achieve top four. Whatever happens with the captaincy remains to be seen.
Speaking after his final game in charge of Ajax last month, Ten Hag said via The Manchester Evening News: "From tomorrow (Monday), my focus will be on United, and I will, of course, get deep into things there. What I have to say about it is, the detailed analysis still has to begin, I still have to work with the team, but let me be clear that at United, there are a lot of good players around. We have to make them function as a team but definitely Ronaldo, he is a giant."
In another interview with De Telegraaf, Ten Hag added: "Ronaldo is a giant, because of what he's already shown, and I think he's still very ambitious. Of course, I would like to keep him. He's been very important to Manchester United this year and can produce great statistics."
Joao Felix advantage
The Telegraph stated that Ronaldo to Chelsea is 'highly unlikely' to happen this summer. Interestingly enough, though, they did confirm that Boehly did enquire about a few of Mendes' other clients in his meeting in Portugal.
The likes of Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix, AC Milan's Rafael Leao and Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri are just a few clients of the super agent. Felix, in particular, is a reported Spurs target, so have Chelsea suddenly gained the advantage on the Lilywhites in the transfer race through this meeting? Only time will tell.
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