Manchester City's attempts to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 may have gone through, had they secured a reported move for Raheem Sterling to Barcelona.
Ronaldo set Europe's top clubs on high alert 18 months ago when he expressed a desire to leave Juventus. The Portuguese striker spent three years in Turin and won consecutive Serie A titles, but while the final campaign brought personal success - he scored 29 goals in 33 games - Juve's fourth place finish was a collective failure.
Many were shocked to hear of City's apparent interest in the striker, particularly given Pep Guardiola's insistence on pressing from the front and Ronaldo's blatant refusal to do so. The forward eventually joined old club Manchester United instead, but a move to the Etihad may have been closer than many thought.
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That's according to Spanish outlet El Mundo, who report that, contrary to some reports since the move, Guardiola was not opposed to signing Ronaldo that summer but was unable to do so. To accommodate the veteran goalscorer, the report adds, City would have to offload a forward of their own, with Sterling set to join Barcelona.
But the 28-year-old failed to agree terms with the Spanish club, his departure from the Etihad falling through and Ronaldo's subsequent arrival suffering a similar fate. The former Real Madrid man would go on to join United, spending a controversial year-and-a-half back at Old Trafford before an explosive interview with Piers Morgan saw his contract terminated. He now plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Sterling would spend one more season at City, his 13 goals and five assists helping Guardiola to a fourth title in five seasons. The winger joined Chelsea in the summer.
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