Cristiano Ronaldo has been openly discussed by Hasan Salihamidzić, Sporting Director of Bayern Munich, who has defined the German club’s position on possibly signing the Portuguese forward.
According to rumors, as the Portuguese striker looks for new pastures this summer, he and his agent Jorge Mendes have shortlisted the German powerhouse Bayern Munich. The prospective signing has drawn the ire of Bayern’s sporting director.
Cristiano Ronaldo wants out of Manchester United, a club that will compete in the Europa League in the coming season. Jorge Mendes, the striker’s agent, has been talking with top clubs across Europe including Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Oliver Kahn, the director of Bayern, spoke with Frank Linkesch of Kicker on July 6 and appeared to dismiss any potential Ronaldo bid. He said: “as much as I appreciate Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the greatest players, a move would not fit into our philosophy”.
However, Fabrizio Romano stated that Mendes will continue to pursue further conversations with the Bundesliga champions even after Kahn made clear Bayern’s position on such a Galactico signing.
Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzić tells @Sport1: “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”. ⛔️🇵🇹 #FCBayern
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2022
Jorge Mendes, still pushing – but now Bayern position has been clarified again. pic.twitter.com/uP1IqUqlrC
In the same vein, Hasan Salihamidzić, the sporting director for Bayern Munich, has re-emphasized the club’s position on signing Ronaldo. Salihamidzić speaking to SPORT1, 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.”
Bayern will now significantly miss a dominant number nine and the plethora of critical goals that come with such a player as Robert Lewandowski is reportedly on the verge of joining Barcelona after a bid was accepted on Saturday evening, July 16, 2022.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern’s attitude toward Ronaldo would change if and when Lewandowski leaves the league champions.
Chelsea, a different team that was reportedly considering signing the Real Madrid legend earlier this summer, has similarly downplayed the rumor.
“He’s a fantastic player for another fantastic club in the Premier League but out of respect we don’t comment on these players because we don’t like other coaches to speak about our players,” Blues manager Thomas Tuchel told the club’s website.
Ronaldo has few options because Chelsea is no longer interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge. A £105 million yearly offer from an undisclosed Saudi Arabian club was rejected by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, while Paris Saint-Germain showed no interest.
Even if United isn’t in the Champions League, Ronaldo still has one year left on his current contract, so staying put might be his wisest move. For the second time in six years, the Red Devils are among the favorites to win the Europa League.
“We are planning with Ronaldo for this season – that’s it,” United’s coach Erik Ten Hag said. “He hasn’t told me that he wants to go, but I’m looking forward to working with him. I have read, but as I say, Cristiano is not for sale, he’s in our plans and we want to get success together. I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a conversation with him and had a real good talk.”
One of the most honored athletes in history is Cristiano Ronaldo. Among many other achievements, he has won the 2016 Euros, four Club World Cups, five Champions Leagues, seven league crowns (in three separate nations), six domestic cups, six domestic super cups, and many more.
