‘Boehly really wants’ £480k-a-week forward at Stamford Bridge – report
According to transfer source Dean Jones, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly “truly wants” to recruit Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo and thinks he could grow to be a “icon” at Stamford Bridge.
In May, a group formed by Boehly successfully acquired the Blues for £4.25 billion, and the American has not held back in supporting head coach Thomas Tuchel this summer, spending more than £84 million on new players.
Ronaldo told Manchester United’s hierarchy that he wants to leave Old Trafford if a good offer is made during the remaining period of the transfer window, raising major concerns about his future at the club.
The 37-year-old was scheduled to return to Manchester in preparation for Monday’s negotiations, but the Red Devils are adamant that he is not for sale.
Ronaldo is expected to demand a move immediately and make it plain that he has no intention of extending his £480,000 per week contract, notwithstanding the position taken by his current employers.
Speaking about a probable transfer to Stamford Bridge, Boehly previously spoke with the Portuguese star’s agent, Jorge Mendes.
Chelsea has expressed interest, but Atletico Madrid has intensified its pursuit of Ronaldo by putting striker Antoine Griezmann up for sale.
Jones is anxious to entice Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge and is aware that Boehly is leading Chelsea’s effort to get his services.
The transfer expert, however, thinks that closing the deal would backfire on head coach Thomas Tuchel given his failure to maximize Romelu Lukaku’s potential.
“Obviously, Atletico is opening up as the most plausible option here and now, but we’ve just seen Chelsea lose 4-0 to Arsenal, we’ve seen Tuchel talking about not being particularly happy and we know they need goals in that team. Jones told GIVEMESPORT..
“Boehly really wants him as an icon and as a guaranteed goalscorer. They’re finding some options that fit into this team but, if it comes down to none of them working out, I think he’ll say ‘Ronaldo is there. Let’s get him’.
“That will put Tuchel in a tricky situation because, with Lukaku last year, he ended up taking a top striker that didn’t fit in. He might be in that situation again with Ronaldo.”