Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea: Boehly meets with Jorge Mendes to discuss move
Cameron Smith
- 25 Jun 2022 19:20 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes met with Chelsea's new owner and interim sporting director Todd Boehly last week and the idea of a move to Stamford Bridge was reportedly discussed, according to The Athletic.
David Ornstein has reported that Boehly and Mendes conducted a meeting in Portugal last week and that Ronaldo's future and a potential transfer to Chelsea this transfer window is understood to have been included in the conversation.
After alterations to the hierarchy at Chelsea, a new board of directors was assembled, with Marina Granovskaia leaving the club after nearly 20 years of service. Boehly appointed himself as her interim replacement, and is now in charge of transfer dealings until a new sporting director is hired.
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The American billionaire is understood to have played a key role in negotiating Romelu Lukaku's season-long loan move back to Inter Milan, and the idea of signing Ronaldo as his replacement has reportedly been considered.
Ronaldo, 37, scored 24 goals in all competitions last season as he ended the year as Manchester United's top goal-scorer. The Portuguese star left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in a world-record move back in 2009, but returned last summer after leaving Juventus.
He has one year left on his current Man Utd contract after signing a two-year deal upon arrival from Turin ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Could Ronaldo actually join Chelsea?
It remains unknown whether Chelsea will seriously pursue a move for Ronaldo, but it is clearly something that Boehly and those around him have considered. Ronaldo hasn't indicated any desire to leave Man Utd for the second time in his career, but the allure of Champions League football could tempt him into a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
Despite Ronaldo's best efforts, Man Utd slumped to their worst ever points tally in the Premier League, ending the season in sixth place, 35 points behind rivals Manchester City.
If Ronaldo opts to stay put in Manchester, he will be playing Europa League football for the first time since leaving Sporting CP in 2003.
Both Chelsea and Man Utd are yet to sign any players during the summer transfer window, but have been linked with several top talents as they look to strengthen their respective squads.
