Manchester United are the new frontrunners to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite being heavily linked with the 36-year old on Thursday, Manchester City have pulled out of talks to sign the Portugal captain from Juventus.
Ronaldo has informed Juventus that he no longer wants to play for them, and was seen on Friday afternoon boarding a private jet out of Turin.
United entered negotiations with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes on Friday.
Not since Larry David opened Latte Larry's next to Mocha Joe's has a piece of business been conducted so purely out of spite.
Manchester City have decided to LEAVE negotiations for Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s NOT joining Manchester City - club position has been so clear in the last minutes. 🚫🔵 #MCFC #Ronaldo
Important to clarify: personal terms have never been agreed, same for fee for Juventus. ❌ pic.twitter.com/lEE5A6XSKY— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2021
"I didn't think Cristiano was gonna turn out leaving Juventus," United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the media on Friday, "And it's been speculation this morning and the last few days.
"We've always had good communication. I know Bruno [Fernandes]'s been talking to him as well and he knows what we feel about him. And if he was ever gonna move away from Juventus he knows we're here.
"We focus on the ones we have there, I don't want to speculate too much on Cristiano, what's happening there with the press.
"I've said many times with speculation, when you're Man United, when you're Ronaldo, when you're Messi, when you're Pogba, when you're Bruno, you have to read a lot about yourselves.
"So let's see what happens with Cristiano, he's such a legend of this club.
"Cristiano has been a legend of this club, he is a legend of this club, he's the greatest player of all time, if you ask me.
"I was fortunate enough to play with him, I coached him when I got my job. He almost retired me in that Wolverhampton game [2003] when I got injured because he kept switching sides!
"Such a tremendous human being, as well. Let's see what happens with Cristiano. Everyone who's played with him has a soft spot for him."
Pep Guardiola was rumoured to have spoken with Ronaldo on Thursday, but City were unwilling to meet Juventus' €30million asking price.
The City head coach was distancing himself from the Ronaldo chatter during his pre-match press conference.
"I cannot say much," he said. "Harry Kane announced he continues at his club, exceptional club like Tottenham.
"Cristiano was at Juventus, I think a Juventus player. Only I can say that in three or four days left in the transfer window everything can happen.
"In my personal view there are few players, Ronaldo and Messi included, that they decide where they are going to play. They are the leading role in the negotiations. Right now I'm delighted with the squad we have and we'll stay the same.
"There are many things right now that are far, far away."
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