Chelsea Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Transfer Is Unrealistic for Blues

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League by the English press, with Chelsea currently placed as outsiders to land the Real Madrid star. While Jose Mourinho enjoyed a triumphant relationship with the Portuguese superstar at the Bernabeu, he isn't a realistic target for the Blues.

Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express indicates Chelsea will need to deploy a significant sum and utilise Ronaldo's previous spell with Mourinho to make the deal happen, especially as Manchester United are thought to be favourites for his capture:

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It is believed that United have set aside as much as £60 million in a bid to bring Ronaldo back to England, and Louis Van Gaal is ready to offer him a lucrative deal exceeding his current £290,000 weekly wage.

However, reports now claim that Jose Mourinho has thrown his hat into the ring after forming a close-bond with the 29-year-old during their time together in the Spanish capital.

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While Mourinho and Ronaldo certainly flourished together, winning three trophies during the manager's time in Spain, this is not a deal that can be considered likely. Two main reasons block Ronaldo's path to Stamford Bridge: His cost and love of Manchester United.

Chelsea are no longer a club who can throw endless money at anyone without repercussion. UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules ensure Roman Abramovich's purse strings have been tightened along the quest to break even across multiple seasons.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have already received hefty sanctions for failing to comply, leaving the English and French champions with fines to pay, squad limits and transfer caps. Chelsea dodged this bullet at the first time of asking and have consciously pushed unwanted players through the exit door to ensure Mourinho could sign who he wanted this summer.

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David Luiz's £50 million move to PSG was fantastic business from the Blues' point of view, as was the £32 million signing of Diego Costa and £30 million arrival of Cesc Fabregas. Prior to this, players such as Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne were sold for major profit, allowing Mourinho to land Nemanja Matic, Kurt Zouma and Mohamed Salah.

The boss crafted the squad in his image—it's versatile, wily and entertaining—but has done so without luring Chelsea into financial danger. Ronaldo would play a major role in dismantling that, especially if his reported £60 million fee and £300,000-per-week wages are to be met, per Jamie Anderson of the Express.

Football pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft also believes United's recent capture of Radamel Falcao puts them in a useful position when trying to land Ronaldo:

Considering the former Sporting Lisbon youngster will nearly be 30 in January, Chelsea would also need to consider his resell value. He is not a player they can offload for profit after a couple of years. Ronaldo's next suitors should be prepared to take a major financial hit, as his next move is likely to be his last.

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This is more acceptable for United, where he could easily become a member of the backroom staff once his playing career is over. Ronaldo is still loved like a god at Old Trafford and many United fans would be happy for the forward to state his terms before returning, especially if it means he will one day harness the club's upcoming youth in a coaching role.

Ronaldo recently revealed his desire to head back to the Theatre of Dreams, reported by Riath Al-Samarrai of the Daily Mail:

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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. I am happy here in Real Madrid and have four more years, but in the future you never know because they treated me unbelievably there.

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Despite his profitable relationship with Mourinho, Ronaldo will always be drawn to United, the club which propelled him to global success. He is far more likely to choose the city and its adoring fans over Mourinho, his one link to Chelsea. There is also little chance Ronaldo will want to regularly score Premier League goals that could dent United's future.

While many Chelsea fans will dream of having CR7 in their side, it just doesn't appear to be a feasible move. Although Mourinho has proven a shrewd businessman when it comes to ensuring financial success, even he doesn't possess the personal skills to tear Ronaldo away from a United return.