Sporting CP director: I don't think Cristiano Ronaldo will return now... but you never know

Sporting CP's sporting director Hugo Viana may ready to rule out the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in the short term, but isn't completely closing the door on the player's return to the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

There are constant transfer rumours surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and that won't change this summer.

Jorge Mendes has reportedly moved in the shadows to prepare a possible exit from Old Trafford and Ronaldo has recently been linked with Bayern and Chelsea.

A third option also appeared on the horizon, a more romantic but more unlikely return to Sporting CP.

"I don't think that will be possible, not now, but you never know," director Viana told Sky Sports.

"He can decide where he can go, but you never know.

"He has one more year on his contract and we will see what he decides."

Cristiano Ronaldo's Sporting CP past

Ronaldo made his debut for Sporting CP on August 14, 2002, under Laszlo Boloni. It was in a Champions League qualifier against Inter and he was 17 years, six months and nine days old.

With the Lions he barely had time to play 31 games. He scored five goals and provided six assists before captivating Sir Alex Ferguson and heading to Manchester United in the summer of 2003 for a fee of 19 million euros.