Thomas Tuchel has laughed off speculation linking Chelsea with Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
The veteran forward, 37, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after reportedly handing in a transfer request at Old Trafford. United do not want to sell him as he is part of new manager Erik ten Hag's plans. Ronaldo has one year remaining on his existing deal.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly wants to build a squad capable of winning the Premier League this coming season - brokering a deal to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City - and it's believed he's held talks with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes over a move.
Yet Tuchel doesn't seem too excited about the prospect of coaching Ronaldo. He's reportedly vetoed the transfer and didn't appear too enthusiastic when cornered by a Chelsea supporter. Tuchel and is squad are currently in the US on their pre-season tour.
"Do we sign Cristiano Ronaldo?" asked the Blues fan while Tuchel was signing autographs. The Chelsea boss laughed and said: "I will not tell you."
Although Tuchel hasn't completely quashed the idea of Ronaldo joining his glittering squad, his response was hardly a mark of approval. The German has never worked with the Portugal skipper before and, right now at least, it seems unlikely he will in the near future.
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It's believed Ronaldo wants to leave United in the coming weeks to play in the Champions League. United finished sixth in the Premier League last season - recording their lowest points total (58) since the 1989-90 campaign - and will compete in the Europa League.
Ronaldo is also thought to be worried about United's lack of ambition. Ten Hag has signed just one player since he succeeded interim boss Ralf Rangnick in May - left-back Tyrell Malacia. Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen are among their top transfer targets.
United have struggled to compete for silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement nine years ago, winning just three major trophies. Their last prize came in May 2017 - beating Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League final - marking their biggest trophy drought for 40 years.
Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles during his first spell at United between 2003 and 2009, returned to Old Trafford last August and enjoyed a prolific season - scoring 18 league goals. He was named the Premier League's Player of the Month twice.
Speaking in May, Rangnick claimed United need to make a number of signings in this transfer window. "It's obvious with quite a few players whose contracts are expiring we need a number of new players," said the German, who's now in charge of Austria.
"There is already at least something like a number of players that are really top players for this club but as I said we need all the other areas. [I] suppose there will be six or eight new players. They should be top players to strengthen the quality of the squad."
