‘Shocked’ Man City breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo transfer comments
According to reports, Manchester City are “shocked” that Cristiano Ronaldo said he was “near” to joining the club before to his deal to Manchester United.
Manchester City asserts that they were not as close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo as he claims.
Sir Alex Ferguson intervened and persuaded the Portuguese striker to re-sign with Manchester United, preventing City from signing Ronaldo at the conclusion of the summer transfer window in 2021.
Now, Ronaldo has sent shockwaves through the red side of Manchester with his candid interview with Piers Morgan, in which he made a number of harsh allegations about United’s owners, management, players, and ambition.
In addition, he acknowledged his potential move to City, stating, “Well, honestly, it was close. It’s something they spoke [about] a lot and [Pep] Guardiola said two weeks ago, I guess, that they tried hard to have me.
“But as you know, as my history [was] in Manchester United, your heart, your feeling… make the difference. And of course, as well, Sir Alex Ferguson. I was surprised… but it was a conscious decision. Because the heart speaks, speaking loud in that moment. I think [Ferguson] was the key. It was the difference in that moment, but I cannot be loyal if I will, I wouldn’t say that Manchester City wasn’t close,” Ronaldo said.
“I spoke with him [Ferguson]. He said to me that, ‘It’s impossible for you to come to Manchester City’. And I say, ‘OK, Boss’. So I took the decisions and… it was a good decision.”
Guardiola has already denied that City would have signed the forward if he had not signed for United. City were interested in signing Ronaldo, but they deny trying as hard as Ronaldo claims to lure him to the Etihad Stadium.
The Sun now claim Man City were ‘shocked’ at those claims and insist that they were ‘never serious about’ signing Ronaldo in 2021.
The report adds:
‘Pep Guardiola’s men briefly explored a move for the Portuguese legend after their move for Harry Kane fell through.
‘However, the champions felt Ronaldo’s account of events – in his explosive interview with Piers Morgan this week – was not reflective of what really happened.’
The Blues went without a striker for the 2021/22 season before signing Erling Haaland this summer. Haaland has scored 23 goals in 18 club appearances.
‘Shocked’ Man City breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo transfer comments
