Chelsea have been put on alert after Cristiano Ronaldo asked to leave Manchester United this summer if they receive a suitable offer, according to reports.
Late in June, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly met with his agent Jorge Mendes to discuss several topics and the idea of Ronaldo joining the Blues was spoken about during conversation.
There was no indication over whether or not Thomas Tuchel's side would be interested in the 37-year-old, who has one year left on his current deal at Old Trafford, but they do have the option of a further year.
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Now the Blues have been put on high alert after The Times reported that Ronaldo has put in a transfer request to leave despite the recent arrival of Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo wants to leave and hopes Man United will accept his decision should they receive a 'satisfactory' offer in the transfer window.
His decision is claimed to be driven by the desire to play in the Champions League for the remainder of his career.
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United will play in the Europa League next season for the 2022/23 campaign after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season.
He thinks he has three to four years left playing at the highest level and wants to be at a club who is capable of adding to his trophy cabinet, both individually and team wise.
As per The Times' report, they also state that according to Ronaldo's close friends, his affection and love for United remains but this is a decision on sporting grounds.
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Chelsea are in the market for forwards this summer and are currently pursuing a deal for Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling, with a deal on the verge of being agreed between the two clubs.
A deal worth in the region of £45 million is set to be signed, but as Barcelona believe Raphinha is Camp Nou bound, Chelsea may feel they need another forward.
Ronaldo would certainly be a statement signing for the new owners, who arrived in June, but whether the Blues could financially afford a move for the Portuguese star remains unclear.
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Boehly and co want to boost Chelsea on and off the pitch and it would certainly be a win-win for the club in terms of quality being added to Tuchel's side, as well as the club's commercial and brand power.
Tuchel has already been full of praise for Ronaldo when he signed for United back in 2021, saying: “Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in the Premier League is good for the league, but it is bad for us.
"I think he will have a huge impact. He is a true champion and has proved at any level, in any year, he can perform at outstanding levels. And don't forget, he will have an impact every day with the group, it's not just goals and assists.
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“You ask me about it, which is fair enough. I think he will have a huge impact because he is a champion, a true champion. He has proved on any level in any year that he can perform on outstanding levels.
"Cristiano leads by example and makes things more complicated for us! Very exciting, we will not change our ambitions because of that."
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Chelsea, Football
Matthew Debono