As we approach the end of the 2022 summer transfer window, there's one rumour that is still present. Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea.
The Blues were offered the chance to sign the 37-year-old earlier in the summer, but Thomas Tuchel is understood to have turned down the opportunity. However, as the window approaches its conclusion and frustrations around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continue, is it something Chelsea could re-visit?
With all of this being said, football.london rounds up the very latest entries in the rumour mill regarding Ronaldo.
READ MORE: Aubameyang issues, Neymar interest and Chelsea transfer decisions facing Todd Boehly
Ten Hag confirms Ronaldo plans
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted Ronaldo will be staying at Old Trafford this summer. Numerous clubs have been linked with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner but with time running out, he now looks set to stay in Manchester.
When asked if Ronaldo was part of his plans, Ten Hag replied: "Clear, of course. I just said we need quality players. You need more to cover all the games, to keep the consistency going, that is what we strive for."
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to have met Cristiano 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 has met with Ronaldo's agent Mendes in Portugal last week to discuss a number of topics. CR7's future was one of the things discussed in this encounter.
Whether or not Chelsea make a move for the player in question remains to be seen.
Ronaldo's verdict on his future
Manchester United star Cristiano 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.
It is understood that Man City's Raheem Sterling is the main attacking priority being pursued at this current moment by Chelsea but when the prospect of Ronaldo comes on the table, that plan can easily change. Multiple attackers are expected to be signed this summer to compensate for potential Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech exits amid AC Milan and Juventus talks but will the 37-year-old really be one of those brought in?
Well, based on the words of the man himself, he 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 on CR7
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 a 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 even 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.”
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