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‘It was out of the question’: Bayern Munich transfer chief Hasan Salihamidzic reveals the club’s board voted against signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Man United as it did not make ‘sporting and financial’ sense
- Bayern Munich were linked with signing Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this summer
- The Portuguese forward has told Manchester United that he wants to leave
- But Bayern chief Hasan Salihamidzic says the club’s board voted against a deal
- The German side sold Robert Lewandowski but have a packed attacking roster
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Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has revealed that the club’s board voted against signing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
When the Portuguese forward told Manchester United that he wanted to leave Old Trafford at the start of July, Bayern were quickly installed as the favourites to be his next club.
However, the Bundesliga champions soon ruled themselves out of a deal, as did Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still a Manchester United player despite asking to leave the club in July
Salihamidzic has now explained why Bayern decided against a move for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, despite selling Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
‘When you now see how our attack is equipped – even without Robert Lewandowski – it’s just difficult from a sporting and financial point of view,’ Salihamidzic told BILD’s Phrasenmäher podcast.
‘We have eight players for four positions upfront.. We have established top players who are in the prime of their footballing age. We have talent that we want to give playing time too, so we all voted to go through with our plan.
Bayern Munich chief Hasan Salihamidzic says the club’s board voted against signing Ronaldo
The Portuguese forward was left out of the starting line up for United’s game against Liverpool
‘So that (signing Ronaldo) was out of question for us. We are very happy with how we’re equipped.’
As Salihamidzic alludes to, Bayern already have a packed attacking roster. This summer they have added Sadio Mane to star names including Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo remains a United player with just 10 days to go before the transfer window shuts.
Bayern Munich have added Sadio Mane to an already packed attacking roster this summer
He was dropped by Erik ten Hag for Monday night’s game against Liverpool, but the Dutchman reaffirmed that the 37-year-old can fit into his system.
‘I think he can,’ ten Hag said, after bringing Ronaldo on as a substitute in the 86th minute. ‘The whole of his career under several managers he did, several styles and systems. He always performed, so why can’t he do this?
‘His age is not an issue. If you are good enough and you’re old and you still deliver performances, you are also good enough.’