Cristiano Ronaldo latest: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly meets agent Jorge Mendes amid prospect of stunning Man Utd exit

Cristiano Ronaldo with outstretched arms in the rain Credit: PA Images

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has held talks with the agent of Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a respected source.

A new era is taking shape at Chelsea after Boehly’s takeover of the club. He is now serving as their chairman and will act as their sporting director on an interim basis this summer. As such, he will be busy on the transfer front.

Chelsea have several areas of their squad to improve. Most notably, they want to strengthen at centre-back and up front.

Regarding the latter, Romelu Lukaku will be leaving to return to Inter Milan, so it seems. There are also doubts about the likes of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.

As such, Chelsea are targeting new talent in the final third. For example, they have been looking at wingers like Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele.

But could something even more remarkable happen? According to The Athletic, in a report by David Ornstein and Dan Sheldon, the idea of Chelsea targeting Cristiano Ronaldo has been discussed.

The Portugal legend returned to Manchester United from Juventus last summer. He scored 24 goals across all competitions in the 2021-22 season, but United could only finish sixth in the Premier League.

After such a disappointing campaign, there have been questions about Ronaldo’s willingness to remain. There is only one more year left on the 37-year-old’s contract.

It may be difficult to find suitors who can match his ambition and are willing to invest in him. But according to The Athletic, Chelsea could turn out to be an option.

Boehly meets Mendes

The report reveals that Boehly met with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes in Portugal last week. Although there were several topics of conversation, the prospect of Ronaldo joining Chelsea was one of them.

Whether Chelsea will go ahead with a pursuit remains to be seen. It is noted that United want to keep Ronaldo, who is happy with their appointment of Erik ten Hag.

But there have been rumours of frustration at United’s lack of transfer activity from Ronaldo’s perspective. Perhaps he could be making a move of his own in the near future.

Story continues

He has also been linked with Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga champions have already signed Sadio Mane from Liverpool. Hence, they do not seem to be a feasible option for Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea almost unimaginable – but could make sense

Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd, in action during the Premier League match v Brighton at AMEX Stadium Credit: PA Images

Joining Chelsea, for what it’s worth, would be a stunning transfer. Ronaldo could certainly be useful to United’s Premier League rivals, even if it is hard to imagine him playing in the blue colours.

Still, Chelsea have Champions League football and United do not. Ronaldo has been a regular presence in the competition, so it is unthinkable to imagine him outside it.

Chelsea could give him the platform he has thrived on if they are receptive to any potential suggestions from Mendes.

Previous big-name strikers have flopped at Stamford Bridge. But as a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, would Ronaldo struggle anywhere?

He also fits the ideal Chelsea profile of not being an exact number nine, but someone who can play centrally. He would be a focal point and quite the gift to Chelsea fans by new owner Boehly.

However, as the report reminded, it will be up to Chelsea whether or not to go further down the Ronaldo route.

READ MORE: Chelsea prepare opening bid for Raheem Sterling after Thomas Tuchel makes contact with Man City star

The article Cristiano Ronaldo latest: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly meets agent Jorge Mendes amid prospect of stunning Man Utd exit appeared first on Teamtalk.com.