CRISTIANO RONALDO will have to look for new options after Chelsea choose NOT to make a move for the Manchester United attacker.
The 37-year-old is set to leave Old Trafford this summer and has failed to show up for pre-season preparation.
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His options look slim, though, with Chelsea become the newest team to reject a transfer†
New owner Todd Boehly met with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes, and a move was briefly considered.
But after talks between the American businessman and manager Thomas Tuchelthe short chase ended.
Chelsea instead signed Raheem Sterling for £47.5 million, while their focus is now on improving their defence.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain had already made it clear that they would not be moving for the Portuguese star.
Ronaldo has no offers on the table, but someone will definitely be interested before the end of the window after scoring 24 goals last season.
Erik ten Hag insisted this week that his No7 is NOT for sale.
But with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still on his way to take off, let’s take a look at some of the destinations that could be popping up over the next six weeks.
THE OPEN THOUGHT SPECIAL
REAL MADRID
One of Ronaldo’s reasons for wanting to leave Man United is his desire to compete for top trophies.
And there’s no better place to do that than Madrid, as CR7 knows all too well.
He enjoyed an incredible nine years at the Bernabeu, scoring 450 goals in 438 games and winning the Champions League four times.
After failing to sign either Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, Madrid could later look in the window at Ronaldo as a high-quality stopover.
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SPORTY LISBON
Ronaldo could choose to make an emotional homecoming to Portugal this summer.
The striker played for his boys’ club during his teenage years before moving to Man United for the first time in 2003.
Last November his mother Dolores urged him to come home and play for Sporting again.
She told the Leao’s DNA podcast: “Ronaldo needs to come back [to Sporting], he would be there for me. He likes to watch Sporting’s matches. I already told him: ‘Son, before I die I want to see you return to Sporting’. “Let’s see…” he said.”
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NEWCASTLE
If Ronaldo likes to stay in England, Newcastle could certainly afford him.
The Toon’s controversial new Saudi owners would certainly like to make a big leap into the transfer market, should the opportunity arise.
Newcastle’s timeline may not match Ronaldo’s as they will not be able to offer European football next season.
But CR7 can support itself to be the man who could finally bring glory to Tyneside.
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SAUDI ARABIA
Ronaldo has reportedly been offered a dazzling £2million-a-week contract by an unnamed Saudi Arabian club.
The superstar has never shown a desire to leave Europe and play in Asia before, but such a dizzying deal could at least make him stop and consider.
CNN Portugal claim the unknown club will offer United £25m for the rowdy attacker.
They reportedly offered Ronaldo a two-year deal worth a staggering £211 million – which equates to £2 million a week.
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DC UNITED
Can Cristiano resist an emotional reunion with former strike partner Wayne Rooney?
Probably, but it would be worth a try for Wazza and his new team DC United.
The duo enjoyed incredible success together at Old Trafford before Ronaldo left for Madrid in 2009.
So wouldn’t it be fitting if CR7’s last hurrah as a player helped Rooney really get his management career going?
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