Paris Saint-Germain look to have ruled themselves out of the race to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer despite the superstar wanting to leave Juventus.
After already snapping up Lionel Messi on a free transfer, PSG were tipped to sensationally also move for Ronaldo, but Manchester City are now in pole position.
Speaking to reporters at yesterday's Champions League group stage draw, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was quick to play down the links with Ronaldo.
Paris Saint-Germain look to have ruled themselves out of a late move for Cristiano Ronaldo
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has revealed they 'do not have any talks open with' Ronaldo
'Ronaldo?
We do not have any talks open with him,' Al-Khelaifi told reporters, 에그벳 soon after discovering that City and PSG were drawn together.
Sportsmail has reported that City are in talks with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes over a return to the Premier League, and the club are open to a free transfer.
Juventus, currently, are continuing to demand a £25million fee, and Ronaldo would also have to take a cut to his hefty £500,000-a-week salary to move to the Etihad.
Ronaldo is trying to force through an exit from Juventus with Manchester City the favourites
It was revealed that Mendes, who is renowned as one of the best representatives in the world, jetted out to Paris, sparking talk of PSG swooping in.
On paper, the move appears possible, with Juventus keen to offload Ronaldo from their wage bill and the superstar himself wanting to leave Turin.
City were offered Ronaldo last week with the same £25m price tag, but their interest has only become concrete after their bid to sign Harry Kane fell short.
As Sportsmail has also added, City have not committed themselves to the switch for Manchester United legend Ronaldo, and there is no agreement with Juventus yet.
Pep Guardiola and City are in pole position after speaking with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes
Despite reports suggesting otherwise, it is premature to claim Ronaldo has also thrashed out personal terms with City, although this is unlikely to be an issue.
Outlets in Portugal said that Ronaldo has already spoken with Pep Guardiola, agreed his financial package and that Juventus were locked in talks with City.
According to Sky Sports Italia, Ronaldo has even cleaned out his locker at his current club and told them he does not want to play for them anymore.
The same publication also reports that the veteran will not be available for the Old Lady's fixture against Empoli this weekend in his bid to force through an exit.
Al-Khelaifi was quick to play down talk of PSG signing Ronaldo at the Champions League draw
PSG may yet emerge as a late option for him, however, but this may depend heavily on whether they sell Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid.
An improved bid of £154m was tabled for the striker yesterday, and reports in Spain have even claimed that the deal will be officially wrapped up imminently.
That would free up space for Ronaldo to play alongside Messi in Paris in a star-studded frontline, but PSG would first have to drastically alter their position.
For now, City look firm favourites to sign Ronaldo, setting up the mouth-watering prospect of him facing his old rival Messi again in the Champions League.