Cristiano Ronaldo searches for new club: Chelsea, Sporting CP or Roma?

There has been speculation since the end of last season that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United, and the latest reports suggest that this may be a reality.

The Portuguese is not at all happy about playing in the Europa League next season with the Red Devils and is looking for a way out.

According to The Times, the Portuguese star has asked Manchester United to facilitate an exit if the club receives a satisfactory offer.

He wants to play for a team that is in the Champions League next season. This cannot be offered to him by the Red Devils, nor by Jose Mourinho's Roma or Newcastle.

Therefore, Chelsea and Sporting CP seem to be the leading candidates for his signature.

Another Premier League team?

It is said that new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly met with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes recently, and with the departure of Romelu Lukaku, the Blues are in the market for a new striker.

Whether he will want to totally rupture his relationship with the United fans by signing for a rival, however, is questionable.

Linking up with Mourinho

Mourinho is keen on being reunited with the forward he coached at Real Madrid. Their relationship in the Spanish capital wasn't always rosy though, and Roma also will be playing in the Europa League rather than the Champions League.

Return home

The most romantic option would be for him to return to Sporting CP, the club with whom he made his professional debut.

Hugo Viana, sporting director of the Lisbon club, did not close the door on his return.

"I don't think it's possible now... but you never know," Viana told Sky Sports.

PSG, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid?

There are still rumours of Ronaldo joining one of Europe's heavyweights. The arrival of Cristiano at Bayern Munich as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski sounds quite logical but it is far from the truth, with Bayern's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic dismissing such talk.

Other clubs such as PSG or Real Madrid could make room for him. However, it does not seem that the Portuguese star is in the plans of either of them.