Manchester City have rejected speculation that they are about to launch a big-money move for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former world player of the year quit Manchester United for Real Madrid in an £80million deal two years ago.
However, despite Ronaldo's 51 goals in all competitions this season, Real missed out on both the La Liga title and Champions League glory.
With relations between Ronaldo and coach Jose Mourinho said to be strained, it has been suggested City could swoop with a bid far in excess of what Real paid for the player.
That move contradicts the claims chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak made in his end of season address on the City website, which was released yesterday, in which he stated firmly that there would not be a mass influx of players this summer and that the Blues were committed to working within UEFA's new financial fair play rules.
And a City spokesman this morning confirmed Ronaldo was not a target.
"There is no substance in these reports whatsoever," said the spokesman.
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| Ronaldo's relationship with Mourinho is apparently strained |
Before manager Roberto Mancini can think about who he wants to bring in, he must resolve issues around players no longer thought to be required.
Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy are both certain to return after West Ham and Cardiff were condemned to the Championship next season, whilst it is also expected Emmanuel Adebayor will not have his stay at Real extended.
City can guarantee a third-placed finish in the Premier League if they beat Bolton on Sunday. That would ensure an automatic berth in the group stages of next season's Champions League.
However, they appear to have a battle on their hands to keep star striker Carlos Tevez, who is reported to have told Argentinian radio station Radio del Plata: "I want to leave Manchester City. Football has changed a lot for me and I don't know if I will even make it to the next World Cup. And that has nothing to do with whether I'm selected or not.
"I've been treated very well here and I'm grateful. I also gave my everything for the club to receive the results it has had. But I need a change of scene."
Mancini said after the midweek win over Stoke that he expected Tevez to remain at Eastlands.
"He has a five-year contract and has told us he wants to stay," the Italian said on Tuesday.
"He said that before. He never had any problem.
"I have spoken with him many times in the last 20 days. It is my opinion that Carlos will stay here next season.
"In December he had a problem. But everyone can change his opinion.
"I don't know what his representatives think.
"Carlos is an important player here. The feeling for him is good."
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