Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid, asserts that the La Liga team's pursuit of the forward Cristiano Ronaldo is "practically impossible" this summer. Since the 37-year-old wants to keep competing in the Champions League, he has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester this week to settle his future after skipping the team's preseason tour of Thailand and Australia.
While Ronaldo was busy spending time in his native Portugal due to "a family matter."
The former Real Madrid player has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid in recent weeks. According to one rumour, Diego Simeone's team is willing to sell Antoine Griezmann to pay for the Portuguese attacker.
Cerezo, the manager of Atletico Madrid, has downplayed rumours that Ronaldo would join the Spanish team this summer.
Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, via the Daily Mirror, Cerezo said:
"I don't know who invented the story of [Ronaldo], but it's practically impossible for him to come to Atletico de Madrid."
Teams like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Sporting Lisbon have all declined the chance to sign Ronaldo this summer.
Thus, the five-time winner Ballon d'Or winner now has left with very limited options if he still wants to leave the Red Devils.
Speaking to SPORT1, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said:
"I have a lot of respect for Cristiano Ronaldo, his successes and his career, but once again: That was and is not a topic for us."
Ruben Amorim, the head coach of Sporting, told Record that Ronaldo would not be returning to the team where his career began in 2002.
"Is Ronaldo a chance? I already heard that, I don't read anything, I don't see anything. For me the reality is different, it's keeping my players."
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel, the manager of Chelsea, has also downplayed rumours of a Ronaldo signing and stated that the club is not currently prioritising the acquisition of a new striker.
the German told Sky Sports News earlier this month
"I would not rule it out but right now it is not the priority,"
"The priority right now is defence, it's not a secret. From there we need to see what's possible."
Ronaldo could still make a good case for staying at Old Trafford for the 2022-23 season, as Erik ten Hag has previously stated his wish to incorporate the forward in his plans.
In his 38 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions last season, Ronaldo, who has just 12 months left on his contract, scored 24 goals and provided three assists.
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