Cristiano Ronaldo linked with rival EPL club as Man U future remains cloudy

The biggest name in the English Premier League is being linked with a bombshell move to a rival as his future hangs in the balance.

Ronaldo could be set to join an EPL rival. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists he wants Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford despite leaving out the unsettled star for a second successive Premier League game.

Ronaldo started on the bench for United’s 1-0 win at Southampton on Saturday before making a largely anonymous substitute appearance in the second half.

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The Portugal striker has been pushing for a transfer since the end of last term after United’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League.

But Ronaldo has found it impossible to attract one of Europe’s top clubs, with the latest reports linking him with the likes of his former team Sporting Lisbon, as well as Napoli and Marseille.

With the transfer deadline looming, United remain adamant the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is not for sale in the second season of his second spell with the club.

But the sight of Ronaldo stopping to salute the United fans after the final whistle at St Mary’s convinced some observers that the 37-year-old was preparing to say farewell.

Publicly at least, Ten Hag is sticking by Ronaldo, saying: “We played with him. So we want him to stay. That is what we want. I hope so.”

The rumours however refuse to die down with Ronaldo’s future now being linked with a rival premier league giant.

Ronaldo has, in the latest rumours, been linked with EPL giants Chelsea with The Independent reporting his agent had visited the club.

Ronaldo wants out of Man U. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Ronaldo wants away from Manchester United this summer and would be willing to join the Blues, but manager Thomas Tuchel is still reluctant to have the Portuguese forward in his squad.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have “verbally agreed” a sensational deal with Borussia Dortmund talisman Jude Bellingham according to reports.

It has been claimed that Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the England international.

However, the Reds could have to wait until January with Dortmund reportedly demanding a high fee of around £100 million this summer.

West Ham United are closing in on a stunning deal that will see Brazilian midfield maestro Lucas Paqueta make the switch from Lyon to East London as his agent arrives in the capital.

Chelsea are said to be interested in luring away Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha although reports indicate their top target remains Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

– with AFP & The Sun

Originally published as Cristiano Ronaldo linked with rival EPL club as Man U future remains cloudy