Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl insists that his side will not be signing Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has ruled the German side out of the running to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during this summer’s transfer window.
The 37-year-old continues to be linked with a move away from Manchester Unitedand Dortmund have recently been credited with an interest in the Portugal international.
However, Kehl has laughed off rumors that the forward could move to the German outfit this summer.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will not move to Borussia Dortmund. This is so. The click figures were probably outstanding but we have done a few things over the past days to pin down this rumour,” Kehl told Picture.
“[Ronaldo is] certainly a fantastic player, a world footballer. But if it is said that he is missing the Bundesliga then that is not our issue.”
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Marseille have also recently been linked with the Portuguese, but the Ligue 1 outfit have allegedly decided against pursuing a deal this summer.
Meanwhile, the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan are also thought to have turned him down in the current market.
Ronaldo has been involved in Man United’s first two matches of the 2022-23 Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford but has been unable to prevent them from suffering back-to-back losses.
There have been suggestions that the Red Devils are prepared to let the Portuguese leave in the latter stages of the transfer window despite continuing to insist that he is not for sale.
However, Portuguese transfer insider Pedro Almeida has claimed that Casemiro‘s move to Man United has convinced Ronaldo to remain at Old Trafford for another season.
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Ronaldo has another year left to run on his contract, with the option of an additional 12 months, and he cannot afford not to be playing in the first half of this season, as he will want to be in top condition heading to the 2022 World Cup with Portugal.
Sporting Lisbon have also been credited with an interest in the attacker, but a lot would have to happen for the Green and Whites to re-sign him in the current window.
Speaking during his press conference on Friday, Man United boss Erik ten Hag insisted that he is still planning for Ronaldo to spend the season at the club.
“I don’t know why he is in particular focus after Saturday. It was the team performance and the whole team’s attitude, including Ronaldo. He is in our plans so that is what I can say,” Ten Hag told reporters.
Ronaldo has been training with Man United ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool and is expected to be involved in the game with Jurgen Klopp‘s side at Old Trafford.