Chelsea ‘not interested’ in Cristiano Ronaldo free transfer
Chelsea are reportedly against the idea of signing Cristiano Ronaldo in January.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be available on a free transfer after mutually terminating his contract at Manchester United, but the Blues are thought to be prioritising four other high-profile targets.
Ronaldo initially asked to leave Old Trafford during the summer but a host of top sides, including Chelsea, distanced themselves from a potential deal. Ex-manager Thomas Tuchel wasn’t keen on the idea of working with the former Real Madrid star, while Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid publicly pulled out.
The rocky relationship between Ronaldo and United manager Erik ten Hag may have put some suitors off. Despite the fact he would be available for free after a controversial interview saw his contract terminated, his extortionate salary would be enough to put significant strain on any club’s wage bill.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea’s stance hasn’t changed from the summer and there is no appetite to swoop for Ronaldo, despite Tuchel being replaced by Graham Potter in the dugout.
The Blues solved their attacking shortage by signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer and one of their four priority targets, Christopher Nkunku, is also closing in on Stamford Bridge. The RB Leipzig forward’s camp are supposedly sorting out the final details of a move that will go through in the summer.