Marseille 'not interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo'

Marseille are reportedly not planning to move for Cristiano Ronaldo this summer despite the recent speculation surrounding a possible move to France.

The 37-year-old is still believed to be determined to leave Manchester United before the end of the transfer window in order to continue playing in the Champions League this season.

Marseille had allegedly emerged as possible suitors for the Portugal international, with the Ligue 1 outfit able to offer Champions League football to new signings.

However, according to RMC Sport, the French club have no intention of signing Ronaldo, who has allegedly been rejected by a number of clubs during the summer market.

Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan are believed to be among the teams to turn down the chance to sign the experienced forward.

© Reuters

Man United boss Erik ten Hag was asked about Ronaldo's future on Friday and insisted that the striker remains 'in the club's plans' for the 2022-23 campaign.

"I don't know why he is in particular focus after Saturday. It was the team performance and the whole team's attitude, including Ronaldo. He is in our plans so that is what I can say," Ten Hag told reporters.

Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon have also recently been linked with the Portuguese, and there have been claims that the latter are in talks with their former youngster over a return.

Ronaldo has been involved in Man United's opening two matches of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign but has been unable to prevent the team from suffering back-to-back defeats.

The attacker is believed to have told the Red Devils at the start of July that he wants to leave this summer in order to continue playing in Europe's leading cup competition during the 2022-23 campaign.

© Reuters

Ronaldo is 15 goals ahead of Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts in the Champions League, netting 140 times in the competition, and his desire to stay clear at the summit is allegedly one of the main reasons why he is so determined to play in the competition this term.

Man United continue to insist that the Portuguese is not for sale, but the club are believed to be privately preparing for his departure in the latter stages of the window.

The Red Devils are said to be eyeing moves for Ajax's Antony and PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo to boost their attack, while Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is still said to be a target despite agreeing to pay Real Madrid up to £70m for Casemiro.

Ten Hag's side will be looking to avoid a third successive defeat at the start of the new Premier League season when they welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford on Monday night.