Bayern Munich's Ronaldo deal could still happen
Paul Macdonald
- Updated: 29 Jul 2022 14:37 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Bayern Munich isn't quite as dead as they would like you to believe.
The German giants moved quickly to issue an outright denial that they were interested in signing the Manchester United forward.
But the picture isn't as clear cut as that.
Bayern have just been forced to admit defeat in their efforts to keep Roberto Lewandowski, who will go Barcelona in a €50 million deal.
Julian Nagelsmann's side are not short on attacking midfield options to play in behind a main striker - but with Lewy on the way out, their need for a conventional No.9 is obvious. Sadio Mane has featured there, but has played far more often from the left in recent years.
And other than Ronaldo, there's not an abundance of strikers on the market - not at least of the calibre Bayern will be looking for.
Bayern Munich aren't making a move for Cristiano Ronaldo anytime soon ⛔https://t.co/40FlNBrrEJ
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) July 16, 2022
FootballTransfers understands that there are some within Bayern who remain quietly intrigued by the idea of Ronaldo featuring for a season.
This would allow them to position themselves to get a longer-term replacement in for 2023, with the likes of Harry Kane from Tottenham thought to be among their projected targets.
Ronaldo himself is running out of options; Chelsea and the rest of the Premier League aren't interested, a return to Spain or Italy doesn't look possible, and while PSG are being mentioned they aren't seriously interested.
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And so we might reach a situation where a season in the Bundesliga works for both parties - CR7 fills in a need at Bayern, and he gets to play Champions League football into his 38th year.
So as much as Bayern were keen to distance themselves from Ronaldo, and they may remain true to their word - don't rule out a rethink as the transfer window comes to a close.
