Report: PSG turn down chance to sign Ronaldo
Paris Saint-Germain rejected the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer due to financial and tactical concerns, sources told ESPN's Julien Laurens.
Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, reportedly approached PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos about a potential deal. Mendes has a close relationship with Campos, who is also Portuguese, and recently negotiated Vitinha's move from Porto to PSG.
But sources told Laurens the club would struggle to pay Ronaldo's wages and fit him into manager Christophe Galtier's plans. Galtier, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino, is apparently having enough trouble finding a way to accommodate Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar while playing with a three-man defense.
Mendes reportedly offered Ronaldo to Bayern Munich before being told he wouldn't fit the club's philosophy. Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly also held talks with Mendes, but manager Thomas Tuchel apparently expressed concerns over Ronaldo's ability to operate in a pressing system.
Ronaldo reportedly told Manchester United he'd like to leave if they receive a suitable offer for him this summer. Though the 37-year-old skipped United's preseason tour in Thailand for personal reasons, the club insists he's not for sale.
"I have read it, but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale," United boss Erik ten Hag said. "He is in our plans and we want success together.
"I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a conversation with him and we had a real good talk."
If Ronaldo doesn't get his wish, he'd face a season without Champions League football for the first time since 2003. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who's also the tournament's record scorer, played in the competition in each of the last 19 seasons.
He'd be willing to take a considerable pay cut to facilitate an exit this summer, according to The Independent's Miguel Delaney. Some sources indicate Ronaldo is making as much as £700,000 per week on his current contract with United.
His deal expires in June 2023.