Manchester City have distanced themselves from Cristiano Ronaldo's claims that they were close to signing him in summer 2021 before he sensationally decided to return to arch-rivals Manchester United not long after.
The wantaway United star claimed in his now infamous tell-all interview with Piers Morgan that Man City were keen to sign him, before a conversation with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded him to return to Old Trafford.
However, and ESPN report suggests that Ronaldo's account of that summer's transfer drama was not quite indicative of City's true feelings on the matter, with their report insinuating the interest was more 'mild'.