Super-agent Jorge Mendes has returned to Stamford Bridge to reopen the talks with Chelsea for facilitating a transfer of his client, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester United forward is still firm on his decision to leave the club for Champions League football, with his agent working rigorously to find a new club before the deadline of September 1.
On the other hand, the Blues’ pursuit of Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hit a roadblock over a disagreement in personal terms. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is pushing for a reunion with his former Borussia Dortmund player as he searches for a new striker. Mendes has reportedly pounced on the opportunity to once again offer Ronaldo to the West Londoners.
Thomas Tuchel insisting on Aubameyang over Cristiano Ronaldo
Since the news broke out of Cristiano Ronaldo wanting to quit Old Trafford last month, Chelsea were one of the first teams to register their interest in him. Their new owner Todd Boehly wanted to make a statement in his first ever transfer window with the club and hence targeted the acquisition of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Boehly had held talks as well with Mendes last month in order to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. However, an intervention from Thomas Tuchel collapsed the deal as he was against the signing of the Portuguese forward. As per a report from the Sunday Times, former Man United interim manager Ralf Rangnick had dialled up his fellow German Tuchel to advice him against the signing of the 37-year-old.
Tuchel was told Ronaldo won’t fit his system and that he would have to alter his team to fit in the superstar striker. The Chelsea boss as a result told Boehly to distance themselves from the forward and consider other options. The Blues then identified Aubameyang as the man to lead their attack this season, with Tuchel having already worked with him at Dortmund.
However, despite positive talks going on with the Catalan club over the transfer of their January recruit, Chelsea have hit a stumbling block with the player. The Blues are ready to hand him a one-year deal, whereas Aubameyang is holding out on a longer contract. As the negotiations have stalled, Mendes has taken advantage of the situation to offer Ronaldo to Chelsea, who are drawn alongside AC Milan, RB Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb in the Group E of UEFA Champions League.
United boss Erik ten Hag has meanwhile commented on the situation of his star forward, however refusing to guarantee Ronaldo’s stay at Old Trafford. He said: “I can’t say that. We plan with him. We stick to the plan. We want him to stay. That is what I want”. On being quizzed about whether the Portuguese will still be a Red Devil beyond September 1, Ten Hag added: “I hope so.”
Both Chelsea and United have had mixed start to the new season, with the Blues picking just 2 wins from their first four games, and the Devils having lost first two have now won two back-to-back games. Furthermore, both continue their search for a new striker and could change trades here if Mendes is successful in brokering a deal for Cristiano.