Bayern Munich will not be signing Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window, CEO Oliver Kahn has confirmed.
The 37-year-old striker is on the market after having his £480,000-a-week contract terminated by Manchester United last week in acrimonious circumstances. Ronaldo was booted out of Old Trafford following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he slammed manager Erik ten Hag, owner the Glazer family and former teammates such as Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, giving him no route back to Manchester.
Currently in Qatar captaining Portugal at the World Cup while removal trucks get to work at his £5million Cheshire mansion, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will soon be deciding on his next destination at club level. But a move to Bavaria has already been ruled out by Bayern legend-turned-club-official Kahn.
"We have already dealt with this," the Allianz Arena chief told Sky Germany, referencing when Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, offered his superstar client to the Bundesliga champions over the summer. "We have a clear idea, a clear philosophy of how our squad should be put together. We all appreciate him, there's no discussion. We all love Cristiano Ronaldo, but that's something that doesn't fit into our idea."
Fortunately for the ex- Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid and Juventus hero, there are reportedly other offers on the table. CBS Sports claims that Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al Nassr have presented Ronaldo with a mammoth $225million (£187m) three-year package.
The eye-watering deal wouldn't commence until after the World Cup, which the Portuguese has full focus on after helping Fernando Santos and Co. secure their place in the last 16 on Monday thanks to a 2-0 victory over Uruguay. The win came less than a week after Ronaldo's departure from Old Trafford was confirmed, bringing to an end a tumultuous second spell with the Red Devils.
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"Following conversations with Manchester United we have mutually agreed to end our contract early," he explained in a statement. "I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new challenge I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future."
Neville recently gave an insight into what Ronaldo's criteria will be for selecting a new club. Speaking to Sky Sports, his old United pal said: "I think Cristiano Ronaldo is going to be looking for a top club on a four-month or five-month contract where he can go in and do a brilliant cameo role at the very elite of European football.
"That's what I think his priority would be - to stay in the Champions League, to stay at the very top and prove that what happened at Manchester United wasn't right. I think he's got four or five great months in him somewhere where he'll go in and score 15 or 20 goals in that period. Everybody in Manchester will say 'why didn't we keep him?' and people in the Premier League will as well."
