Manchester City turned down Jorge Mendes’ offer to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus having already bought Jack Grealish from Aston Villa this summer, per Corriere dello Sport.
Mendes is striving to secure Ronaldo a move away from Turin before the market closes on August 31. But there are few viable clubs still active in the market who can afford to sign the 36-year-old. And Paris Saint-Germain are unlikely to target him after signing Lionel Messi.
PSG would only consider forming a sensational frontline with Messi and Ronaldo if they are convinced to sell Kylian Mbappe. The Ligue 1 giants are reluctant to sell the Frenchman to Real Madrid, who are also unlikely to target Ronaldo.
Carlo Ancelotti has openly ended any speculation of the Portuguese icon returning to Real Madrid. The Galacticos boss shared on Twitter this Tuesday that he has given no thought to the idea of signing Ronaldo. He won four Champions Leagues during his Bernabeu stay.
Another option for Mendes was to work a deal for Manchester City to sign Ronaldo. Corriere dello Sport reported the super-agent suggested a £25m move, securing a return to England 12-years after leaving Manchester United.
But the Italian publication now report Manchester City said no to Mendes and the chance to sign Ronaldo from Juventus. Pep Guardiola’s Premier League title-holders did not consider a deal for the striker, given his past at United plus the presence of Grealish in Manchester.
Manchester City paid Aston Villa a British transfer record £100m for Grealish, who made his first start against Tottenham Hotspur. The Villans product is yet to score or assist in sky blue, after making his debut in the Community Shield.
Manchester City reject Juventus’ goal machine Ronaldo
Ronaldo would have demanded a gargantuan wage to join Manchester City from Juventus this summer, plus Mendes’ suggested transfer fee. But the Citizens have already committed to one big splurge in Grealish and still want to sign Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Guardiola’s outfit may have felt it would be unrealistic to sanction another significant spend, even for the considerable marketing opportunities. And in doing so, rejected the chance to sign Juve’s goal machine, who has found the back of the net 81 times in 97 Serie A games.
Ronaldo struck 29 goals in 33 top-flight appearances last term, plus four in six Champions League outings. His brace away to Barcelona opening and sealing a 3-0 win in December. Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford also hailed Ronaldo during Euro 2020 this June.
“Cristiano is an unbelievable player and it almost becomes normal when he defies the odds now,” Rashford said, via 90min. “It’s just the way his career has been from the beginning.”
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