CRISTIANO RONALDO is looking to ‘engineer’ a stunning move to Manchester City, reports in France have claimed.
According to L’equipe, the former Manchester United forward has had his representatives contact Premier League champions City.
It comes amid speculation Ronaldo has asked to leave Juventus after three years in Italy.
He was left out of their Serie A opener against Udinese over the weekend, which ended 2-2.
Although the five-time Ballon d’Or winner did come on to score an injury-time winner – only for it to be disallowed by VAR.
Juve vice president Pavel Nedved attempted to play down the exclusion after the game.
Nedved said: “We are not going to try to create sensationalist stories when there are none.
“It was a decision we shared with the player. At the beginning of the season, he is naturally not at top form.”
Reports also linked Ronaldo with a move back to Real Madrid, from whom he joined Juve in a £99million deal.
But bizarrely, Bernabeu boss Carlo Ancelotti personally tweeted to distance himself with signing the forward, who he managed from 2013-2015.
Ancelotti posted: “Cristiano is a Real Madrid legend and he has all my love and respect. I have never considered signing him. We look forward.”
Ronaldo, 36, also looked to ease some of the speculation about his future on social media and appeared to commit himself to Juve.
He wrote: “As well as this most recent episode in Spain, there have been frequent news and stories associating me with a number of clubs in many different Leagues, with nobody ever being concerned about trying to find out the actual truth.
“I’m breaking my silence now to say that I can’t allow people to keep playing around with my name.
“I remain focused on my career and in my work, committed and prepared for all the challenges that I have to face. Everything else?
“Everything else is just talk.”
Ronaldo’s full statement on his future
Anyone who knows me is aware of how focused I am on my work. Less talk and more action, this has been my guiding motto since the start of my career.
However, in view of everything that’s been said and written recently, I have to set out my position
More than the disrespect for me as a man and as a player, the frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs involved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff.
My story at Real Madrid has been written. It’s been recorded. In words and numbers, in trophies and titles, in records and in headlines. It’s in the Museum at the Bernabeu Stadium and it’s also in the minds of every fan of the club.
And beyond what I achieved, I remember that in those nine years I had a relationship of deep affection and respect for “merengue afición”, an affection and respect that I retain to this day, and that I will always cherish.
I know that the true Real Madrid fans will continue to have me in their hearts, and I will have them in mine.
As well as this most recent episode in Spain, there have been frequent news and stories associating me with a number of clubs in many different Leagues, with nobody ever being concerned about trying to find out the actual truth.
I’m breaking my silence now to say that I can’t allow people to keep playing around with my name.
I remain focused on my career and in my work, committed and prepared for all the challenges that I have to face.
Everything else? Everything else is just talk.
Despite the statement, still Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from Italy, and City are the latest side rumoured to be a potential suitor.
The English champions have spent the summer trying to sign England captain Harry Kane, 28, from Tottenham.
But Spurs appear unwilling to let their star man leave for anything less the £160m, despite the striker believing he had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with chief Daniel Levy that he could go.
Reports now claim Ronaldo wants to capitalise on the situation and offer himself as a potential solution for City’s problems.
That is despite the six years he spent at Old Trafford having signed as an 18-year-old in 2003.
The report claims Ronaldo has even spoken to international team-mates about Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo about joining them at City.
City are not believed to be interested in a deal, even though the Portuguese superstar could come relatively cheaply, having only a year left on his Juve deal.
Kane is said to still want a move to the Etihad, but did make his return to Spurs’ squad in their 1-0 win over Wolves on the weekend.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
