PSG have turned down the chance to sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo because they don’t have a place for him in their star-studded squad, according to reports.
Ronaldo has rattled new boss Erik ten Hag with his request to leave Old Trafford this summer because he wants to compete for trophies, although there are few clubs who could afford his astronomical £500,000-a-week salary .
PSG are one of the clubs armed with the power to bring in Ronaldo, but even a team with the financial might of the French giants would struggle to secure such a deal, according to ESPN – who claim the club rejected the opportunity after talks between President Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the player’s agent Jorge Mendes.
Al-Khelaifi and Mendes have a close relationship and met in the summer after the latter offered his client to the Ligue 1 champions.
But PSG believe they don’t have enough room in their salary budget to accommodate Ronaldo, and also fear they won’t even be able to fit him into the current squad as it is already packed with names like Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar.
They also believe Ronaldo wouldn’t be the right signing at the moment, the report continues, with PSG entering a new era following a hierarchical reshuffle after agreeing new terms with Mbappe.
Mauricio Pochettino has already been sacked as manager with Christophe Galtier named as his successor, while director Leonardo has also been sacked.
Galtier wants to play with three backs at PSG, according to the report, which will already make it difficult for him to find room for Mbappe, Neymar and Mbappe in his front three – signing Ronaldo would only exacerbate this dilemma.
Ronaldo’s options appear to be dwindling after reports that Bayern Munich also refused to sign him – while Chelsea are reportedly pursuing him, but whether he would fit into Thomas Tuchel’s system is in doubt.
It came after Ronaldo missed the early days of United’s pre-season start and was left out of their Australia and Thailand tour on compassionate grounds.
Speaking before his side beat Liverpool 4-0 in Asia, Ten Hag stressed he was not for sale and the player was in his plans.
Speaking before his side beat Liverpool 4-0 in Asia, Ten Hag stressed he was not for sale and the player was in his plans.
“We predict Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that’s it. I look forward to working with him. Cristiano is not for sale. It is part of our plans and we want to succeed together.
“I can’t say (about Ronaldo joining the tour) because the absence I’ve already explained and that’s it for now,” the United boss added. “He’s not with us and that’s due to personal issues.
“I spoke with him before this problem arose. I had a conversation with him and I had a good conversation. It’s between Cristiano and me. What I can confirm is that we had a very good conversation together. I did not speak to him after (the news).
Ten Hag’s comments reflect United’s official stance after the club insisted Ronaldo was not for sale and remained under contract for another year.
They already have to replace big-name players like Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani, and can ill afford to buy a replacement for Ronaldo with less than a month to go before the season starts.
United have only signed one player so far, defender Tyrell Malacia, and the Dutch boss is also pursuing his former Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, as well as his former player Frenkie de Jong – who also played under him at Ajax – and who is now at La Liga giants Barcelona.
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