MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 10:09:52| >> :60:942:942:

Chelsea 'leading race to sign Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo'

Chelsea 'leading race to sign Cristiano Ronaldo'
© Reuters
Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after the 37-year-old informed Manchester United of his desire to leave the club this summer.

Chelsea are allegedly at the head of the queue to sign Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo in a blockbuster deal this summer.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is believed to have informed the Red Devils of his desire to leave the club in the coming weeks amid doubts over the club's ability to challenge for major honours.

Ronaldo reportedly wants to win one more Champions League before he hangs up his boots, and the 37-year-old does not believe that Erik ten Hag's side can fulfil his silverware ambitions.

Man United are holding firm on their stance that Ronaldo is not for sale under any circumstances, but the Portugal international could try to force an exit before the start of the new season.

Ronaldo supposedly wants the 20-time English champions to sanction his sale for an 'acceptable' bid, and according to The Sun, Chelsea are leading the race.

Chelsea new owner Todd Boehly is seen in the stands before the match on May 7, 2022© Reuters

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to have floated the idea of Ronaldo making a sensational move to Stamford Bridge during a recent meeting with the striker's agent Jorge Mendes.

The Blues will be able to offer Ronaldo Champions League football next season, while he would be forced to settle for the Europa League if he remained at Old Trafford.

As a result, Chelsea are supposedly determined to make the former Real Madrid man their standout summer signing, and sources at Man United are allegedly not denying that he wants to leave.

Ronaldo's contract at Old Trafford is due to expire in 2023, but Man United possess the option of an additional 12 months, and the attacker impressed last season with 24 goals and three assists in 38 appearances in all tournaments.

Eighteen of Ronaldo's 24 strikes came in the Premier League, and he has now amassed 142 goals and 71 assists in 329 appearances during his two spells in Manchester.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts on May 7, 2022© Reuters

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has allowed wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku to head back to Inter Milan on loan for the next 12 months, and exits are also being mooted for Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech.

Bolstering the Blues' attack and defence is therefore a priority for the German coach, who is hopeful of welcoming Raheem Sterling to the club from Manchester City this month.

Bayern Munich are also thought to be in the race to sign Ronaldo, with the Bundesliga champions running the risk of losing Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer next summer.

The Poland international has frequently voiced his desire to leave the Allianz Arena this summer, but Bayern chiefs continue to insist that he will see out the final year of his contract.

A return to Sporting Lisbon has also been mooted for Ronaldo, who spent six years at the Portuguese club before joining Man United for the first time in the summer of 2003.

However, Ruben Amorim's side are unable to afford the attacker's £480,000-a-week wages, meaning only a handful of clubs can battle for his signature in the coming weeks.

ID:489244:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6031:

Cristiano Ronaldo future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Cristiano Ronaldo

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts on September 11, 2021
Read Next:
Man United 'reiterate Cristiano Ronaldo stance amid exit reports'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!