Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea: Why a deal hinges on Aubameyang
Robin Bairner
- 29 Aug 2022 08:30 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo could still leave Manchester United this summer, with Chelsea still pursuing a possible move for the Portugal international striker with four days left of the transfer window.
Ronaldo has been left on the bench by new Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag in victories over Liverpool and Southampton, having missed much of pre-season due to what the club have described as personal issues.
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The striker, though, is well known to want to leave Old Trafford before the deadline, with the 37-year-old still harbouring a desire to play in the Champions League and also to feature for a competitive team that will win trophies.
Agent Jorge Mendes has been in contact with many clubs this summer but has been able to attract much interest – yet a deal with Chelsea could still be live.
The Aubameyang factor
The Sun reports that Ronaldo could be a fallback option to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose switch to Stamford Bridge has stalled over contract talks. Chelsea are only willing to offer the Gabon international a one-year extension but he wants a longer contract.
The Independent states that Mendes is seeking to pounce on this show of weakness. Indeed, he has returned to the Blues and has asked them if they are prepared to mov again for Ronaldo.
While FootballTransfers’ understanding of the situation is that owner Todd Boehly is intrigued by the possibility of adding the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to his ranks, manager Thomas Tuchel is less keen on signing Ronaldo. Indeed, it was under the German’s instruction that no deal was done earlier in the window.
Nevertheless, with time running out, Tuchel may be tempted to take a gamble on Ronaldo, although how Man Utd might feel about an approach from Chelsea at this late point in the transfer window, when they themselves need attacking reinforcements, is as yet unclear.
