Real Madrid boss keen to bring star player with him to Blues.
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In what would be one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer, it is believed that Jose Mourinho will look to bring former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo with him if he rejoins Chelsea.
The Portuguese coach has been linked with the Blues post all the summer, as the Stamford Bridge outfit look to find a permanent replacement for interim manager Rafael Benitez.
The 50-year-old enjoyed three years at Chelsea between 2004 and 2007, winning two league titles and helping the club emerge as a force on the European stage. He remains popular with the club’s supporters as well as several of the playing staff, despite initially leaving due to a falling out with owner Roman Abramovich.
However, he has also been linked strongly with the Manchester United job, as a replacement for the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson. Everton’s David Moyes is also said to be in the frame, and the Red Devils may have to settle for the Toffees boss as Mourinho has his heart set on a second spell at Chelsea.
As well as Mourinho, Manchester United could also miss out on former star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked with an exit from Real Madrid in the last few months, with a surprise return to Old Trafford apparently on the cards. Real have already targeted Tottenham’s Gareth Bale as a replacement, though they would also expect players in return from United along with their £65million asking price.
Still, it has now emerged that if Ronaldo leaves it will be to join Mourinho at Chelsea, as the two have enjoyed an effective working relationship during their time at the Bernebeu. The pair won La Liga last season, with Ronaldo firing an incredible 46 league goals on their way to beating Barcelona to the title.
However, this success has been followed up by a difficult year this time round, with Real trailing Barca by a long way for most of the campaign. This has led to both Mourinho and Ronaldo’s relationships with the club’s fans worsening, and could force both of them out of the door this summer.
Ronaldo has also been linked with a move to PSG, and along with Chelsea there aren’t many clubs who could afford the 28-year-old’s wages and hefty transfer fee. The lure of playing in the Premier League again, as well as sticking with Mourinho, could be a selling point though, despite Ronaldo’s allegiance to Manchester United.
As well as Ronaldo, Mourinho is said to have made other transfer plans for his possible return to Chelsea, with Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski also high on his list. The Polish striker impressed him recently with four goals against his Real Madrid side in the Champions League semi-final.
It is not yet clear who would replace Mourinho in Madrid, but the club are preparing for life without Ronaldo by targeting Bale, as well as Chelsea attacker Juan Mata if a deal for the Spurs winger falls through.