Report: Chelsea withdraw interest in United wantaway Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be joining Chelsea this summer as Thomas Tuchel prefers to forge a fluid attack featuring new signing Raheem Sterling, according to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons.

After bringing Sterling in from Manchester City for a reported £50-million fee on Wednesday, the Blues are prioritizing reinforcements in defense. Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly is expected to move to Stamford Bridge for €40 million, and the club is apparently pursuing City’s Nathan Ake and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe.

Ronaldo, 37, asked to leave Manchester United due to his disappointment in the club’s apparently unambitious summer transfer dealings. New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly was reportedly interested in the prospect of signing the Portuguese superstar following a meeting with his agent Jorge Mendes, but he’s since withdrawn the club’s interest after talks with Tuchel.

PSG reportedly turned down the chance to acquire Ronaldo on Tuesday, and Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn recently said the attacker “wouldn’t be a fit with our philosophy.”

Ronaldo has cited family reasons for his continued absence from United’s training sessions and friendlies ahead of the new season. It’s understood he lowered his wage demands after top European clubs appeared wary to table a bid for his services.

Portuguese media outlets claimed Wednesday that a Saudi Arabian club offered Ronaldo a contract worth around £100 million per season, Aarons reports. However, Ronaldo wants to play for a team competing in the Champions League.

United are set to play in the Europa League in the 2022-23 campaign.