Manchester United Turned Down The Chance To Sign Cristiano Ronaldo Last Summer
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Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Juventus has been questioned since they crashed out of the Champions League, but according to one report his chance to leave was last summer, when two clubs turned him down.
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After winning three Champions League titles in-a-row with Real Madrid, Ronaldo moved to Juventus to help them win their first European title in 23 years, when he moved in 2018.
In three seasons at the club, the five time Ballon d'Or winner hasn't been able to get the club past the quarter finals and Tuesday's extra time away goal loss to Porto was the second season in-a-row they've been knocked out of the last 16 by an unfancied side.
Ronaldo was heavily criticised for his part in the loss to the Portuguese side, especially as he turned his back on the free kick that made all the difference in extra time.
The loss has led to some talk of the 35-year-old leaving Turin, with his reported £28 million-a-year wages restrictive for the Old Lady, especially considering they haven't won Europe's biggest prize yet and now look further away from doing so.
However, according to one report in Italy, last summer was the chance for CR7 to leave but both Manchester United and PSG turned down the opportunity from his agent Jorge Mendes.
"Will he leave?," pondered Italian journalist Emanuele Gamba to Calciomercato, "I think the only time there was a chance for that was last summer, and I think his staff moved in that direction.
"I believe Mendes moved to see if there were any possibilities and did not find them.
"I doubt that a year later, with an even older and more out of fashion Ronaldo, these possibilities will reappear.
"Essentially, Mendes had urged Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United to make a move, who both said no.
"Frankly, I don't see the possibility of anything different happening now, at least in Europe."
It's hardly the first time that the forward has been linked with a return to United, since departing Old Trafford in 2009 to join Real Madrid, in fact it's happened nearly every year since.
PSG are one of the only other clubs in the world who could afford the former Sporting player's incredible wages but they have Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in forward positions already on big money.
It looks now like his next step would have to be China or the MLS but with his contract running out in summer 2022, it's more likely to be then than later this year.
Although with Mendes involved, never rule out a move to Wolves!
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Football, Manchester United, Serie A, Ligue 1, PSG, Premier League, Transfer gossip, Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo
