Chelsea Transfer News: Blues' Shock Cristiano Ronaldo Move Highly Unlikely

Chelsea are reportedly ready to rival Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo's signature in the summer of 2015, but the chances of the Portuguese superstar completing a transfer to Stamford Bridge are almost non-existent.

According to the Daily Express' Anthony Chapman, reports suggest Chelsea will attempt to hijack a potential transfer offer from the Red Devils, who are preparing a £60 million swoop for their former player and would offer him an increase on his current £290,000 weekly wages.

Ronaldo recently told reporters how fond he is of his memories from his time with Manchester, and that he would love to return one day, per Chapman:

"I love Manchester. Everyone knows that - I have said it many times. Manchester is in my heart. I left many good friends there, the supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day."

SCOTT HEPPELL/Associated Press

Ronaldo worked under Jose Mourinho when he coached Real Madrid, which is likely where the link comes from. While it makes sense for the Blues to at least try and attempt to land the winger once it becomes clear he intends to leave the Spanish capital, it's hard to believe Mourinho would already be working on a deal.

Yes, Angel Di Maria recently stirred the pot when he told reporters he believed Ronaldo is "not very happy." As reported by the Independent's Paul Smith, he said: " I don't know how much longer Ronaldo can put up with it at Madrid. I get the impression that he is not very happy." But that doesn't mean a departure from Madrid is imminent.

Ronaldo is the face of the defending Champions League winners, one of the most marketable players in the world playing for the single most marketable team in the world, according to Forbes. It will take more than just some rumours before we have to start taking a possible transfer request seriously.

Unless the Portugal international is truly unhappy in the Spanish capital, it's unlikely he'll leave in 2015. No team in the world offers him a better chance at winning silverware and building his brand.

If Ronaldo were to make his intentions to leave clear, however, there are only two realistic destinations—Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

The French champions have the financial means to pull off a blockbuster move, and the arrival of Ronaldo would firmly place them among Europe's elite clubs. Their project is ambitious, and they'd undoubtedly promise Ronaldo more signings to turn the squad into an unstoppable juggernaut.

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The more likely destination is Manchester. A reunion with the club that turned him into the world-class forward he is today. With Di Maria and Radamel Falcao already at the club, the attacking trident would instantly become the world's most dangerous.

But more than the sportive aspect, a transfer to Manchester is the only one that makes sense from an emotional perspective. Ronaldo has already indicated he would be open to a return—the city of Manchester would love to welcome their lost son back with open arms.

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The Blues are a tantalising destination for any player in the world, but given Ronaldo's connection with United, it's hard to believe he would return to England only to join a direct rival. Stranger things have happened, but if United are keen on a reunion, Ronaldo would have little reason to choose a different club.

In an interview with Yahoo! Sport's Marcus Foley (for Eurosport), Mourinho was asked whether Chelsea would be able to break the British transfer record, and he gave a surprising answer:

"

Chelsea not, for sure, because Chelsea is working in relation to the Financial Fair Play. We are making money to be able to spend money. In every transfer window Chelsea is losing players, is selling players. In the winter one we sold Mata; in the summer one we sold David Luiz and Lukaku.

So Chelsea in this moment is not a spender – Chelsea in this moment is making more money in transfers than the money we spend.

"

Mourinho has adapted his approach to the transfer market in recent years, and it appears to be working. The Blues' 2014-15 squad is both strong and deep, with plenty of young talent waiting in the wings.

A transfer of Ronaldo would break with that winning formula, and while Mourinho would never pass up the chance to sign one of the world's best players, he won't be outbidding United for his services anytime soon.

Plenty of reports like this one will surface in the coming months, but fans of the club shouldn't start fantasising about Ronaldo in a blue shirt just yet. As of right now, a move for the Portuguese superstar is nothing more but a pipe dream.

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