Wayne Rooney claims he has ‘major doubts’ that Cristiano Ronaldo will join Man City before the transfer deadline.
City are now focusing on a deal to sign the former Manchester United player after Harry Kane announced this week that he will be staying at Spurs.
Ronaldo is pushing to leave Juventus and reports on Thursday claimed that he has now agreed personal terms with City and has already spoken with Pep Guardiola.
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Rooney spent five years alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford and the duo were a vital part of the United team which won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during that time.
And the Derby boss feels he cannot envisage Ronaldo making the move to Man City because of his ‘stature’.
When asked for his verdict on Ronaldo’s desire to join City, Rooney said: ‘I don’t know what to make of it, to be honest.
‘If you’re asking me if I think it’s possible then I have major doubts that it is a possibility. ‘Cristiano has got a great legacy at United. I don’t think he’s going to move somewhere for financial reasons.
‘I’d be unsure if that’s going to happen. I think there’s more chance of it being PSG if he is to leave Juventus.
‘On the other hand, it’s football, it can happen, it has happened before. Big players and legends from Manchester United in terms of Peter Schmeichel went to City, Andy Cole went to City, Mark Hughes managed City.
‘It has happened before but I think someone of Cristiano’s stature I can’t see it happening.’
In another interview with talkSPORT, Rooney added: ‘I think Cristiano has got a very good legacy at Manchester United and I know how proud he is as a player and a person. I can’t see it, but it’s football so you never know.
‘I think you need to do what’s right for you as a person, for your family. ‘Everyone knows I could never play for Liverpool or Manchester City. That’s obvious but everyone’s different.
‘I think people move to clubs where they don’t really want to but from a financial point of view that might be the only option they have, so I might get it from some people’s point of view.
‘But in terms of myself that just wouldn’t be an option.’
