Pep Guardiola's fresh comments explain Man City desire to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

Pep Guardiola's recent assessment of his options at centre-forward lays bare why Manchester City are pushing to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Ronaldo after his agent, Jorge Mendes, flew to Turin to negotiate his exit from Juventus on Thursday.

Etihad chiefs have until the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday night to submit a formal offer to the Italian club and get the deal over the line.

Ronaldo's return to the Premier League would be one of the most sensational transfers of recent memory - and it would provide Guardiola with exactly what he is looking for.

The pair were rivals in their El Clasico days, but Ronaldo is close to joining forces with Guardiola ( Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

City have been left without a natural centre-forward since Sergio Aguero departed for Barcelona at the expiry of his contract this summer.

Gabriel Jesus was once regarded as Aguero's No. 9 heir for the Sky Blues, but his comments after the 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City on Saturday suggest he is more comfortable out wide.

"For you guys it might have looked different, but for me no, because I'm playing like a winger in Brazil for the national team for the last two years," said Jesus after grabbing three assists as a right-winger against the Canaries.

"For me to play on the right wing is more normal now. I can help my team with runs in behind, I can help the defenders, that's all.

"It was a great game, great play by the team, and everyone wants to play. We have 25 players who can play good and help the team, so competition is so big."

With Jesus deployed on the flank, natural winger Ferran Torres has been operating as a false-nine for City.

How many goals would Cristiano Ronaldo score per season if he joins Manchester City? Have your say in the comments.

Guardiola has been impressed with the duo, but he hinted he is craving the incisive movement of an out-and-out striker.

"Gabriel comes more to associate (link up), to drop a little bit, and Ferran makes movements more to the goal," the Spaniard said of the two attackers. "With our lack of goals lately, we need a guy who can make a movement there."

Ronaldo presents Guardiola and City with the perfect answer for their void at centre-forward.

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Although he was once a winger, Ronaldo has evolved into a centre-forward in recent seasons and his goal tally stands at a remarkable 101 in 134 games for Juventus.

His movement is second to none, his proficiency in the air notorious and his ability to finish powerfully with either foot is unparalleled by almost all of his peers.

Therefore, it is no surprise former Barcelona boss Guardiola wants to link up with the Real Madrid legend he previously faced off with in El Clasico.