Ian Rush has told Todd Boehly why Chelsea must sign Cristiano Ronaldo now that a move for Mohamed Salah is off the table. The Liverpool forward was reportedly 'prepared' to return to Stamford Bridge this summer before penning a new deal at Anfield, handing Thomas Tuchel a heartbreaking transfer blow.
It's said that the Egypt international courted the interest of several top-flight sides amid an increasingly uncertain future at the club, with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid reportedly rivalling the Blues for Salah's signature. There had been reports that the 30-year-old was prepared to see out his deal at Liverpool and leave the club on a free but, by putting pen to paper, he's put to bed months of speculation.
Salah signed a three-year extension worth £350,000-a-week with Jurgen Klopp's side, becoming the club's highest-paid player in the Reds' history. While a return to Chelsea is out of the picture this summer, Todd Boehly was preparing to speak to the Liverpool forward about his contract situation, report The Sun.
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Through his agent Ramy Abbas, the talisman made it clear to Liverpool's owners that he would consider returning to west London. But now, with a move no longer a possibility, Chelsea have been told why they should sign Ronaldo amid an increasingly uncertain future of his own.
Speaking to the Echo, former Liverpool striker Rush said: "I look at Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United who keeps himself super fit and Mo, who is a lot younger than him, is doing exactly that too, he is keeping himself fit and he is determined to stay at that level he is at."
According to The Athletic, Boehly met Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes to discuss a potential swoop for the 37-year-old striker. It's believed that Ronaldo, who sees his contract at Old Trafford expire in just 12 months, is increasingly disgruntled at the lack of transfer business that United have conducted, with no arrivals as of yet.
The report adds that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has already been offered to Bayern Munich, though the German giants have baulked at the proposal. With Boehly having met with Mendes in Portugal to discuss Ronaldo's future, the American billionaire could have earned the west Londoners an advantage in acquiring his services having now reportedly asked to leave Old Trafford.
The Times say that the striker has asked United to respect his decision should the Red Devils receive a 'satisfactory offer'. Ronaldo's decision is said to be driven by his desire to play in the Champions League, with Erik ten Hag set to guide United into the Europa League this season. While Chelsea look well positioned, whether the Blues make a move for the talisman remains to be seen.
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