Manchester City deny Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims of ‘close’ 2021 transfer

Manchester City have denied suggestions from Cristiano Ronaldo that he came ‘close’ to signing for them in the summer of 2021.

City explored the option of signing Ronaldo at the end of the summer 2021 transfer window before Sir Alex Ferguson intervened and persuaded the Portuguese forward to re-sign for Manchester United.

Now, Ronaldo has sent shockwaves through the red side of Manchester with an outspoken interview with Piers Morgan, where he has made a number of critical claims against United’s owners, management, players and ambition.

He also discussed his prospective move to City, saying: “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.”

However, ESPN report that City are disputing this version of events, insisting that their interest in Ronaldo was merely ‘mild’.

At the time, Pep Guardiola’s side were actively in the market for a new striker, having had an approach for Tottenham’s Harry Kane knocked back earlier in that transfer window.

City were interested in signing Ronaldo, but deny trying hard to bring him to the Etihad to the extent Ronaldo claims, and Guardiola has previously denied that City would have signed the forward if he hadn’t signed for United.

The Blues went without a striker for the 2021/22 season, and then signed Erling Haaland this summer who has 23 goals in his first 18 appearances for the club.