Eintracht Frankfurt chairman Axel Hellmann has revealed he was “offered” the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.
The Portuguese reportedly tried to engineer a move away from Old Trafford after the club failed to secure Champions League football last season, but a viable option didn’t present itself before the close of the transfer window — and he ultimately stuck around.
The club’s absence from Europe’s premier competition, coupled with Erik ten Hag’s philosophy of blooding in younger players and adopting a press-heavy system, culminated in Ronaldo’s eventual (and acrimonious) exit on the eve of the World Cup.
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A bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, in which the Portuguese star took a swipe at Ten Hag and criticised the running of the club, led to an inevitable and messy divorce, with both parties mutually agreeing to part ways last month.
The 37-year-old is now a free agent and looking for a new club, with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr reportedly a front-runner for his signature.
It’s a far cry from where Ronaldo could have ended up in the summer had a certain Frankfurt entertained an ‘offer’ put forward to them by Ronaldo’s representatives.
The Hasse club secured Champions League football for 2022/23 after winning last season’s Europa League, and the club’s chairman, Hellmann, has now revealed Jorge Mendes got in touch with him following his side’s success.
“He was even offered to us,” he told DAZN. “I have the feeling he was offered to every Champions League club.”
Man Utd started their second post-Ronaldo existence on Wednesday night in the EFL Cup against Burnley, with the heir-apparent to his throne, Alejandro Garnacho, starting in the game. Ten Hag’s men secured a drama-free 2-0 win to advance to the quarter-finals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka played a key role to remind Ten Hag of his qualities, setting up Christian Eriksen with a scintillating cross, while Marcus Rashford produced an extraordinary solo goal, carrying the ball from his own half. The real litmus test, though, will be on Tuesday in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest.