Cristiano Ronaldo has shutdown speculation of a potential transfer to Sporting Lisbon amid links between the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Chelsea.
Ronaldo intends to leave Old Trafford this summer in search of Champions League football as the 37-year-old looks to play in Europe's elite competition for as long as possible. football.london understands the Blues were sounded out over a potential move for Ronaldo but after Todd Boehly spoke with Thomas Tuchel, the club dropped their interest in signing the United striker.
The Portuguese superstar was United's top scorer last season, but it seems there aren't many suitors in Europe willing to take Ronaldo in as his agent Jorge Mendes searches for a transfer solution. Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all ruled themselves out of the running for the 37-year-old in recent weeks, whilst Ronaldo has been offered an eye-watering £210million deal from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club which would see him earn more than PSG’s trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar combined.
READ MORE: Chelsea 'in talks' to sign Presnel Kimpembe as PSG's transfer stance revealed
Despite searching for a move away from Old Trafford this summer, Ronaldo has responded to a viral post on Instagram suggesting his car was spotted at Sporting Lisbon's stadium amid rumours he could be set to re-join his former club on loan. The Portugal international is yet to report for pre-season training with United due to family issues, and an image of what supporters believe to be the 37-year-old's car at Sporting's stadium has emerged on social media recently along with the caption: "Sporting with more hopes in the hiring of Cristiano Ronaldo. There is a photo circulating on social media that they say is of the Portuguese's car in the garage of Estadio Jose Alvalade."
A report using the image suggested the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was in talks to return to Sporting on a season-long loan deal. Ronaldo has now responded to the report, writing on the post: "Fake."
A move to Chelsea was on the cards until Tuchel opted against a move for the Portuguese striker. The Blues have instead strengthened their attack with the signing of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City and are now focusing their efforts to reinforce the defence.
Kalidou Koulibaly became Boehly's second summer signing and football.london understands the west Londoners are in talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe, as well as making contact over a deal for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde. Matthijs de Ligt was Chelsea's priority target but the Dutch defender looks set to seal a move to Bayern Munich.
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