Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann has conceded that many clubs would want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo but suggested his wage demands prevent most from being interested.
The Bavarian giants were linked with a move for the Manchester United forward earlier in the transfer window after reports emerged he wanted to leave Old Trafford in search of Champions League football.
However, Bayern ruled themselves out of a move, with CEO Oliver Kahn saying it “would not fit into our philosophy”.
Reports are linking Ronaldo with another Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund.
Their CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, also distanced his club from the Portugal international on Friday.
Asked about possible Bundesliga interest in Ronaldo at a press conference, Nagelsmann said:
“Honestly, I don’t care if he goes to Dortmund or not. He has a contract at Man Utd.
“He is a great player, he scores many goals, and he will score many goals. I don’t know at what club, but I don’t think that’s relevant.”
Nagelsmann talks about Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, offering the 37-year-old to various European clubs.
“I think he takes 10 per cent,” he joked. “I think Mendes is a lot on the phone. And I saw him in a documentary. So I think it’s okay. It’s a good thing the players have agents who are not only about the money but are working… And I think it’s pretty normal he’s trying that.
“I think you have to be able to afford him. He’s not the youngest guy. It’s a tremendous amount of money. I think many clubs would like to have him, but for 15 teams in the Bundesliga, it would be tough to pay his annual salary.
“Every club knows he’s an outstanding player, he will score many goals and sell many jerseys, but he also brings more press. You have to ask Mendes, though – I think he knows more.”
Bayern has won their first two games of the new Bundesliga season and travel to Bochum on Sunday.
The 35-year-old coach explained they would need time to get used to things at Bayern and are being eased in slowly, mentioning that despite his two starts, Mane also has to adapt.
He said:
“Even Sadio Mane, who is on a world-class top level, who played for a long time in one of the best leagues of Europe, who won everything, even he says that you have to get used to everything.
“The language, the country, the city, until the family has arrived, all those private things. Until they are done, it takes a little time until you are free in your mind. Even Sadio says that.
“Ryan, Nous, they played in the Netherlands [with Ajax], which is a good league but not among the top three in Europe. So they need a little more time.
“In general, what is essential is that those players show in a proactive what they are capable of and pushing the limit, then they will have time on the pitch.
“I am always very happy when this process goes faster.
“I always put players on the pitch when I think they are at 100 per cent that they can replace any player.”
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