CHELSEA’S stunning move for Cristiano Ronaldo still needs a thumbs-up from Thomas Tuchel.
New Blues chairman Todd Boehly is a huge fan of the Portuguese superstar — but must now convince boss Tuchel to go for him.
Boehly wants a marquee signing to launch his regime after taking over last month in a £4.25billion deal.
Manchester United striker Ronaldo, 37, is seen as the big name to do that, after he told Old Trafford chiefs he wants out.
Tuchel and Boehly are now set to hold talks on whether to follow up with a firm bid for Ronaldo — or invest elsewhere in the squad.
Tuchel thinks Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and defenders are the priority, having lost key centre-backs this summer.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left on free transfers, while skipper Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are unsettled.
The Blues’ efforts to land Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt have also run into trouble.
Ronaldo, who missed training yesterday due to family reasons, wants to win more trophies and he does not see it happening at United — even under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Chelsea also lost striker Romelu Lukaku, who has returned to Inter Milan on loan, just a year after joining the Blues from the Italian side for a club record £97.5m.
Tuchel is keen to sign Sterling but an official bid is yet to be submitted.
Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele is another option.
Chelsea have been tracking France defender Kounde but have hit a setback in their plans to clinch a £68m swoop.
Barca are now trying to muscle in on the deal — and Sevilla’s sporting director Monchi reckons Nou Camp boss Xavi is on the right track.
He said: “Xavi has good taste. He likes Kounde — and that means he knows about football.
“I know Chelsea need at least two centre-backs.
“But not only Chelsea are interested, there is also interest from other clubs around Europe.”
Bayern Munich have also made a move for Dutch ace De Ligt, with talks already taking place.
