Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed the truth behind Manchester City's pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.
Reports concerning the Portugal star and the current Premier League champions first appeared towards the end of the 2021 summer transfer window.
Manchester City had had somewhat of a frustrating summer up until that point.
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While there focus was on signing a long-term and immediate Sergio Aguero replacement at striker, their options were limited.
Tottenham had stood firm on a £150 million valuation of Harry Kane, while Dusan Vlahovic was more keen on a move to Juventus further down the line, and Erling Haaland was simply unavailable at the time.
That left Manchester City looking elsewhere in the market, leading them towards an opportunity to shake the world and sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite some quarters highlighting how a deal was seemingly very close to completion at one stage, a new report has offered a different take on the situation of the time.
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This is according to Fabrizio Romano, who this week has reported that a deal was never totally agreed to from the part of Manchester City's officials.
As part of his daily briefing this week, Romano reports that Cristiano Ronaldo to the Etihad Stadium was 'never 100% approved' by the City board, or by technical staff at the club.
Furthermore, it is also revealed how there were some issues on Cristiano Ronaldo’s end with agent Jorge Mendes.
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As such, a deal collapsed, despite Juventus being happy to accept a move for the Portugal international to Pep Guardiola's side.
Ultimately, Manchester United appeared at the end of the transfer window, and as Fabrizio Romano highlights, Ronaldo himself was happy to re-join the Old Trafford side.
As for Manchester City, they will almost certainly be happy with the way things have turned out.
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In the 2021/22 season, Pep Guardiola's side went on to win the Premier League title, without a recognised number nine in the squad.
The failed move for Ronaldo also ultimately allowed them to pursue the signature of Erling Haaland at Borussia Dortmund a year later.
That move was successful, and Manchester City will not be looking back any time soon with regret, especially given Haaland's start to life at the Etihad Stadium, and Cristiano Ronaldo's failure to hit the heights of years gone by.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Premier League, Transfers
Freddie Pye