"I don’t need another striker" - Jose Mourinho explains why he doesn't want Cristiano Ronaldo at Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he doesn't want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the upcoming transfer window. The 61-year-old insisted that he is satisfied with the three forwards at his disposal and doesn't need an additional one.
Turkish media had linked Al-Nassr ace Cristiano Ronaldo with a shock transfer to reunite with Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce. However, the latter shut down these claims, stating (via O Jogo):
"Cristiano Ronaldo will not come. The first reason is that I have three good forwards and I don't want another one. Cristiano will always be Cristiano, but I don't want him because I'm happy with my forwards. He has the money he earns in Saudi Arabia and a goal of 1,000 goals. What could motivate him to come to Turkey, other than the beauty of Istanbul?"
He added:
"I don't really like the January transfer window because the player who comes needs a certain amount of time. I never say no to a transfer, but I don't knock on Ali Bey's or Acun Bey's door and say I want a transfer."
Mourinho's Fenerbahce are currently second in the Super Lig with 32 points from 13 games, three points behind leaders Galatasaray. To their credit, they have scored 36 goals to date - the most in the league - conveying that their attacking trio of Edin Dzeko, Cenk Tosun, and Youssef En-Nesyri has been impactful.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has been outstanding this season for Al-Nassr. The 39-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, having netted 16 goals and registering three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.
"We want to build a team" - Al-Nassr boss Stefano Pioli sends defiant message to fans after Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. lose 2-1 to Al-Ittihad
Stefano Pioli has insisted he is determined to put the Knights of Najd on the right path and build a team, even if they fail to win silverware this season. His comments arrive after Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss against Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, December 6.
Ronaldo (57') was on target once again, however, goals from Karim Benzema (55') and Steven Bergwijn (90+1') ensured Al-Ittihad sealed all three points. Al-Nassr are in fourth place in the league with 25 points from 13 games, 11 points away from the top, giving them a massive ladder to climb to secure the title.
During the post-match press conference, Pioli stated (via @TheNassrZone):
“I am happy to be at Al Nassr. We want to build a team even if we do not win the title this season. Next season I have a contract, to put Al Nassr on the right path.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. have already been knocked out of the Saudi Super Cup and King Cup of Champions this season.