Published on 11:39 AM, July 13, 2022

PSG turn down chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

Photo: AFP

It was Jorge Mendes, Cristiano Ronaldo's agent, who sounded out PSG a few days ago with the forward's desire to leave Manchester United in mind.

Mendes knows both Nasser Al Khelaifi and the club's new sporting adviser, Luis Campos, very well.

He has been involved in the arrival of midfielder Vitinha from Porto, while negotiations are at an advanced stage for another of his representatives, Renato Sanches, to join the Qatar-owned club.

Why the answer was no

PSG have rejected him, commenting that, in the current conditions, he would have no place in the team, according to Le Parisien.

Ronaldo's arrival would mean building the team around him, but the club has already decided that the lynchpin of its reconstruction will be the recently renewed 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe, as opposed to the 37-year old Portuguese.

There's also the financial issue, as the Portuguese striker's fee and wages would be a hindrance, given that PSG have already had their finances scrutinised after several allegations of breaking UEFA's financial fair play rules.

They have to deal with other high-cost players

The Parisian club has to deal with Mbappe's expensive renewal, in addition to the high salaries of other stars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar, but also the massive wages of other players in the squad.

On top of that, Al Khelaifi told the press during the presentation of new coach Christopher Galtier that the club is looking for more sporting commitment and less flash, and according to Le Parisien, Ronaldo does not fit in with this new idea.

It is not the first time that the name of PSG has emerged as a possible destination for Cristiano Ronaldo. The difference is that, on this occasion, it is because he himself has asked Jorge Mendes to offer him. He has never been in Ligue 1, so perhaps he would welcome a debut in the French top flight.