Cristiano Ronaldo and agent Jorge Mendes held talks with Bayern Munich

Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes held talks with Bayern Munich last week ahead of the January transfer window.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has hit headlines after taking part in a controversial interview with Piers Morgan where he unloaded on Manchester United figures and claimed he has been "betrayed" by the club.

In the 90-minute chat, which has been teased before it airs later this week, Ronaldo he revealed he does not "have respect" for manager Erik ten Hag, said he had "never heard" of Ralf Rangnick before he became interim boss and laid into the club's current position and facilities.

He even attacked former teammate Wayne Rooney and accused the club's top brass of having doubts and showing a "lack of empathy" about his daughter being ill - which prevented him from returning for pre-season.

The latest tidbit from Ronaldo's interview saw him call out the Glazers and Gary Neville.

United said they would wait for "the full facts" before they issued a response but it's increasingly unlikely that Ronaldo will play for the club again.

However, he could already have a new club lined up. According to the Daily Mail, Bayern officials recently flew to England to England for negotiations with Ronaldo and his long-time representative Mendes.

Image: Alamy

In the summer, Ronaldo handed in a transfer request and was desperate to join a club playing in the Champions League.

Mendes offered him to a slew of clubs, including Chelsea, boyhood side Sporting CP and Napoli. Bundesliga champions Bayern were also in the mix but Ronaldo did not get his wish and reluctantly stayed put at Old Trafford.

High-flying Newcastle, with their mega money, were conversed with in November as Ronaldo looks for options in what could be his final career move.

Image: Alamy

Bayern did explore the possibility of bringing Ronaldo in but Oliver Kahn, the club's chief executive, said he did not fit into their "philosophy".

Meanwhile, manager Julian Nagelsmann hinted at Ronaldo's wages being the main stumbling block.

The Bavarians brought in Sadio Mane as their marquee signing to replace Robert Lewandowski but could go back in for the Portuguese superstar as a result of concerns over the former Liverpool star's fitness.

A move to Germany would allow Ronaldo to play in another elite league and return to the Champions League, where he is the competition's record scorer.

Ronaldo has been strongly criticised by Richard Keys (Image: Alamy)

United could look to terminate Ronaldo's deal and stop him from finding a new club, according to a football lawyer, while a fresh report states they are seeing if they have grounds to sack the 37-year-old.

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@joshlawless_