Chelsea have been heavily linked with a potential £14million shock transfer for Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
football.london understands that the 37-year-old wants to leave Old Trafford this summer, with new Blues owner Todd Boehly holding conversations with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes last week. Ronaldo has been left out of United's pre-season tour to deal with a family issue after the club released a statement ahead of Erik ten Hag's squad travelling to Thailand and Australia.
The Blues agreed personal terms with Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling earlier this week and look set to seal a £45million move for the England international. Thomas Tuchel's side are in need of attacking reinforcements after Mason Mount was the only player to register double figures in terms of goals in the Premier League last season, but former United defender Rio Ferdinand doesn't think Ronaldo will leave Old Trafford this summer.
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Speaking to FIVE magazine, Ferdinand admitted he thinks Ronaldo will stay this summer unless the Reds are able to lure Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to Manchester, despite the Polish striker's desire to join Barcelona. Ferdinand said: "I don’t see it happening, man, I can’t even think about that because you have to look at the whole situation.
"It’s getting on in the window, if Man United were to let him go [Erling] Haaland and [Darwin] Nunez probably the first two on your list have gone. The only other person who could fill into those shoes, who I’d have confidence in who’s possibly capable of doing it, is [Robert] Lewandowski."
Haaland and Nunez both made the move to the Premier League this summer, joining Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool respectively. Lewandowski has made his intentions to join Barca public this summer and will not consider other proposals, with Bayern hoping to keep hold of the 33-year-old.
"Lewandowski looks like he has his heart set on Barcelona if they can get that deal done. The only way I see it happening is Man United could get Lewandowski and then Ronaldo could go then - that’s the only way it happens. If United can’t get a ready made replacement to bang in the 20, 25 goals next season outside of Lewandowski somebody gettable I don’t see it being a deal that gets done not at all."
football.london understands that Chelsea have been sounded out over a shock move for Ronaldo this summer, but Tuchel would be given the final decision on whether the club pursue a deal or not. The 37-year-old scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, proving he still has the clinical edge to decide games and make a difference at the highest-level.
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