Ronaldo Plans To Move To Chelsea After Request For Transfer From Man Utd, Claim Sources

Five-time Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo could transfer to Chelsea after telling Manchester United his plan to leave the club this summer.

A source told ESPN, that Chelsea have been told of the possible Ronaldo transfer, however, the club are yet to decide whether to make a formal offer to the football icon.

Ronaldo, who earns around £500,000 ($600,000) a week informed United of his plan to leave Old Trafford due to his desire for Champions League football. Chelsea would be a great team for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is believed to be in talks with some potential teams. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have been listed as Ronaldo's possible new team destinations. Mendes and new Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly reportedly discussed the matter privately.

Boehly, the interim sporting director following the exits of Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech, is said to be open to signing Ronaldo even at this late stage of his career. However, some of the club members doubt whether head coach Thomas Tuchel will approve the transfer given that he also has specific strategic plans to remodel his forward line.

Ronaldo impressively netted 24 goals in 38 appearances for Man Utd, he still has about a year in his contract with the Red Devils. United continue to insist they are not letting Ronaldo leave, despite the forward not attending the pre-season training on Monday due to "family reasons."

On Sunday, Ronaldo dropped a strong hint that he would remain at the club by expressing his goal to "win trophies next year" and giving Erik Ten Hag "time to make changes."

It is still uncertain whether Ronaldo will travel to Bangkok on Friday with the rest of the squad for the start of United's two-and-a-half-week tour of Thailand and Australia. New manager Ten Hag will first play a friendly match against rivals Liverpool in Bangkok before flying to Melbourne to face Crystal Palace and later travel to Perth to play against Aston Villa.

There are also rumors stating Ronaldo could be willing to take a pay cut to ensure his chance to play in the Champions League next season. The possibility of Ronaldo joining United's long-standing rival, Manchester City, is also clear. He was close to signing for City before making a dramatic comeback to United last summer after 12 years away from Old Trafford.