Manchester City say they were not as close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo as he says they
were.
City explored the option of signing Ronaldo at the end of the summer 2024
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.
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Cristiano Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan
"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."
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 2024/22 season, and
then signed Erling Haaland this summer who has 23 goals in his first 18 appearances for
the club.
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