Napoli have debunk rumors linking the club to a move for Manchester United and former Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Serie A giants, who are on top of their game this season, was linked to a possible move for the out-of-favor Manchester United striker. According to reports, Napoli were ready to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo to the Series A in the forthcoming January transfer window.
Recall that Ronaldo tried to leave Manchester United in the summer after the Old Trafford club failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The five times Ballon d’Or winner was ready to take a pay cut and force a move from the Red Devils to play Champions League football.
He was linked to Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Napoli, including a possible return to Real Madrid
However, his planned Manchester united exit was thwarted as there were no suitors ready to bid for his services.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo still has a year remaining in his Man united contract and the management of the club were not ready to sell him last summer.
Recall that amid the rumors of his potential exit, the club stated clearly that he is not for sale, with new manager Erik Ten Hag reiterating his eagerness to work with the legendary football star.
Now, Ronaldo may be possibly regretting his failed push for an Old Trafford exit.
The 701 club-goal man has started just two Premier League games and scored three goals across all competitions, including in Thursday’s Europa League win over Sheriff.
Ronaldo, 37, has had to watch on from the bench as Dutch boss Ten Hag prefers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial over him.
And tensions boiled over in United’s 2-0 home win over the Tottenham when Ronaldo refused to come on as a late sub and stormed down the tunnel before full-time.
The action earned him a week suspension from the first-team for United’s trip to Chelsea last weekend, which ended 1-1.
Ronaldo’s contract at Old Trafford expires next summer but a January transfer away from the club after the World Cup has not been ruled out yet.
He has been linked with a potential move to Napoli, with that transfer rumored to happen in January after the World Cup.
However, the club has now ruled out a move for the Premier League icon.
Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli told DAZN: “Ronaldo in January? We won’t sign any player in January.
“We don’t need to change anything in this team. We’re doing great and we’re not planning any signings, as of today.”
And by “we don’t need to change anything in this team”, he is referring to the winning formula which has Napoli occupying the top of the Serie A and flying in the Champions League.
Napoli have a 100 per cent win record in the champions League in their group, involving Liverpool, Ajax and Rangers, scoring 16 goals while conceding just four.
Marseille president Pablo Longoria also passed on the chance to sign Ronaldo, saying they will only sign team players – something Ronaldo is not
Speaking to RMC Sport, Longoria said: “Football is very easy and you have to do what you can with the means you have at your disposal, always maintaining financial stability.
“Marseille need a balanced economic situation and we are a long way from being able to count on players like that, with great stars.
“We prefer team players, who put the individual at the service of the collective.
“We have a project where all the players work for the team.”
The latest snubs mean Ronaldo could see out the season as a squad player rather than a nailed-on starter at Manchester United.
