Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has already described Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the "greatest" to have ever played the game amid reports that he wants to leave Manchester United in this summer's transfer window.
Exactly a week since a report emerged claiming that new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly had met with super-agent Jorge Mendes in Portugal, with Ronaldo's future being one of the subjects discussed, a report by The Times on Saturday claimed that Ronaldo has informed United that he wants to leave Old Trafford. It is reported that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has told the club that he wants to be granted an exit if they receive a 'satisfactory offer'.
United, just as they did a week ago, moved swiftly to shut down the story, insisting that Ronaldo is not for sale this summer. He scored 24 goals in his first season back at Old Trafford last term and is expected to play a key part in new manager Erik ten Hag's plans.
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Ronaldo's reported desire to leave United is because he wants to play Champions League football. United, who re-signed the Portuguese international almost a year ago from Juventus, failed to qualify for Europe's premier club competition for the forthcoming campaign, meaning they will feature in the Europa League.
Ronaldo did not return to United to play on Thursday evenings; he returned to light up Europe on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are the four English clubs who will compete in the competition this term.
And it is Chelsea who have already been heavily linked with the 37-year-old, ever since last week's report about Boehly meeting up with Mendes emerged. The Blues are likely to be on the hunt for a striker this summer after allowing Romelu Lukaku to return to Inter Milan on loan.
Chelsea chief Tuchel has already expressed his fondness for Ronaldo, speaking glowingly about him in the past. He believes he is one of the all-time greats and believes anyone without him is a "weaker team."
"Time will tell, but I think it is not a secret that any team in the world without Cristiano [Ronaldo] is in some parts of the game a weaker team," said Tuchel, speaking last year. "He is one of the greatest who has ever played this game, and he proves it every time he is on the field.
"Now [he is] in the Premier League and in the Champions League, so they lost a big champion, a big point of reference and a big personality. But you can win games and be a strong team without Cristiano Ronaldo. This is also true."
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