Chelsea owner Todd Boehly ‘really wants’ to sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo and believes he could go on to become a Stamford Bridge ‘icon’, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
A consortium led by Boehly completed a £4.25billion takeover of the Blues in May and the American has not hesitated in backing head coach Thomas Tuchel in the summer window, with more than £84million being spent on fresh faces.
What’s the latest news involving Ronaldo?
There are serious doubts over Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United after he told the hierarchy that he wants to seal his Old Trafford exit if a satisfactory offer is lodged during the remainder of the transfer window.
The 37-year-old was due to travel back to Manchester ahead of holding talks on Monday, but the Red Devils are insistent that he is not for sale.
Despite his current employers’ stance, it is understood that Ronaldo will demand an imminent transfer and make it clear that he has no intention of extending his £480,000-per-week contract.
Boehly has already held a meeting with the Portuguese star’s agent Jorge Mendes, where talks over a potential move to Stamford Bridge were held.
While Chelsea have an interest, Atletico Madrid have also stepped up their pursuit of Ronaldo by placing striker Antoine Griezmann on the transfer market.
What has Dean Jones said about Ronaldo?
Jones understands that Boehly is leading Chelsea’s charge for Ronaldo’s signature and is eager to lure him to Stamford Bridge.
However, the transfer insider believes sealing the deal could backfire on head coach Thomas Tuchel following his inability to get the best out of Romelu Lukaku.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Obviously, Atletico is opening up as the most plausible option here and now, but we’ve just seen Chelsea lose 4-0 to Arsenal, we’ve seen Tuchel talking about not being particularly happy and we know they need goals in that team.
“Boehly really wants him as an icon and as a guaranteed goalscorer. They’re finding some options that fit into this team but, if it comes down to none of them working out, I think he’ll say ‘Ronaldo is there. Let’s get him’.
“That will put Tuchel in a tricky situation because, with Lukaku last year, he ended up taking a top striker that didn’t fit in. He might be in that situation again with Ronaldo.”
Would Ronaldo be a good signing for Chelsea?
Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, while he has also won a host of trophies at club and international level, emphasising his status as one of the greatest footballers of all-time.
He may be coming into the final years of his career, but the 187-cap Portugal international is still capable of producing the goods.
That is shown by him finding the back of the net 24 times following his return to Manchester United last August, taking his overall goals tally at club level up to 694.
