Chelsea have been urged to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in a blockbuster summer transfer for the Manchester United icon. Al-Nassr’s failure to qualify for the Club World Cup has prompted claims that the legendary forward could leave the Saudi Arabian side this summer.
Former midfielder John Obi Mikel insists that Chelsea’s determination to sign a new centre-forward should lead them towards Ronaldo. That is despite the Portugal captain turning 40 in February. Chelsea are also understood to be close to signing Liam Delap from Ipswich to accompany Nicolas Jackson. Mikel’s dream signing for the Blues would be his fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen, but he claims his ex-team also 'need' Ronaldo.
Speaking about the former Real Madrid and Juventus star on talkSPORT, Mikel said: "Ronaldo is an amazing player. He's an all-time goal scorer so it would be great to see him also participate in this tournament.
“Do we need him at Chelsea? Of course we do. We need a number nine, but I think everybody knows the number nine that I want us to get and we're not getting him.
“We need to get Osimhen but I don't think the club is getting him now. We've gone a different route, we're getting Delap.
“I hope he comes in and helps the team as well. I want to see him in the Club World Cup, I want to see him perform. Obviously he needs to push Nicolas Jackson, the competition needs to be there.
“Now we have healthy competition. Hopefully we can see how that's going to lead us from this FIFA Club World Cup, into the Premier League and of course the Champions League.”
Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggested that Ronaldo could leave Al-Nassr to join a team playing in this summer’s Club World Cup. Ronaldo also hinted at a potential departure, writing on social media after his side’s final game of the season: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
On Wednesday, Ronaldo proved he can still perform at the highest level. He struck the winner in the Nations League semi-final between Portugal and Germany, bagging the 137th goal of his remarkable international career.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are expected to close a reported £30m deal for Delap before the Club World Cup. The 22-year-old scored 12 Premier League goals for relegated Ipswich last season.