Atletico Madrid have denied that the club are interested in Cristiano Ronaldo and have described transfer speculation as ‘rumours’.
Atletico are the latest club to have been linked with a move for Ronaldo, who wants to leave Manchester United this summer in order to compete in the Champions League.
The 37-year-old returned to United from Juventus last summer and scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, but was unable to help the Red Devils to a top four finish.
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has offered the forward’s services to a number of clubs without success and Atletico are the latest side to rule themselves out. The club’s president, Enrique Cerezo, has denied Atletico’s interest and has called a move for the Portugal captain ‘practically impossible’.
“I don’t know who invented that story,” Cerazo told AS.
“Rumours are rumours and they must stay where they are, because if they continue to increase, it will seem that they are real, and they are not.
“It’s practically impossible for him to come to Atletico de Madrid.
“We have an incredible team, we don’t need anything else. We have a large team and a great coach to face a wonderful season.”
Bayern Munich were also linked with a move for Ronaldo, following the exit of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
The Bavarian’s chief executive, Oliver Kahn, admitted that the club discussed a potential move for Ronaldo before deciding that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ‘would not fit’ into the club’s philosophy.
Bayern director Kahn tells Bild: “We discussed about Cristiano Ronaldo internally – I consider him one of greatest footballers ever” 🚨 #FCBayern
“Then we came to conclusion that, despite appreciation for Cristiano, he would not fit into our philosophy in the current situation”. pic.twitter.com/JuBTUdUnsS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 26, 2022
Chelsea were also linked before deciding against a move, while Napoli have been credited with an interest in bringing Ronaldo back to Serie A.
The forward is understood to be holding talks with United this week to discuss his future, having not joined the rest of Erik ten Hag’s squad for their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
