Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered his verdict on Cristiano Ronaldo amid Manchester United transfer links

03.07.2022 - 12:57 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has already described Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the "greatest" to have ever played the game amid reports that he wants to leave Manchester United in this summer's transfer window.

Exactly a week since a report emerged claiming that new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly had met with super-agent Jorge Mendes in Portugal, with Ronaldo's future being one of the subjects discussed, a report by The Times on Saturday claimed that Ronaldo has informed United that he wants to leave Old Trafford. It is reported that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has told the club that he wants to be granted an exit if they receive a 'satisfactory offer'.

United, just as they did a week ago, moved swiftly to shut down the story, insisting that Ronaldo is not for sale this summer. He scored 24 goals in his first season back at Old Trafford last term and is expected to play a key part in new manager Erik ten Hag's plans.

READ NEXT: Manchester United reiterate Cristiano Ronaldo stance amid latest exit reports

Ronaldo's reported desire to leave United is because he wants to play Champions League football. United, who re-signed the Portuguese international almost a year ago from Juventus, failed to qualify for Europe's premier club competition for the forthcoming campaign, meaning they will feature in the Europa League.

Ronaldo did not return to United to play on Thursday evenings; he returned to light up Europe on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are the four English clubs who will compete in the competition this term.

And it is Chelsea who have already been heavily linked with the 37-year-old, ever since last week's report about Boehly meeting up with Mendes