Chelsea are involved in a surprise transfer pursuit for Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo this summer as Todd Boehly seeks a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian has returned to Inter Milan on loan for the coming season just a year after returning to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £97 million. Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele have been linked with moves to west London, but it is likely an out-and-out striker will also be targeted.
Ronaldo would prove a marquee signing to begin the Boehly era. A report from The Athletic revealed that the American had held talks with agent Jorge Mendes, during which the prospect of signing the 37-year-old was raised. It has now been reported by the Times that Ronaldo has requested that United allow him to leave this summer if an acceptable bid comes in.
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The Portuguese star is keen to keep playing Champions League football and has become disillusioned by the running of the club. Thomas Tuchel has spoken highly of Ronaldo in the past, too, so it is a deal that is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Just like he said with Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar in the past, the German went on record to declare that he believes Ronaldo to be one of the 'greatest' players to have played the game. "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."
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