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Cristiano Ronaldo could cause latest complication in Chelsea’s transfer plans

By George Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: General view outside as Chelsea fans make their way past the stadium which has a home of the champions sign on before the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: General view outside as Chelsea fans make their way past the stadium which has a home of the champions sign on before the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Cristiano Ronaldo is apparently demanding a transfer from Real Madrid and out of Spain over his tax case. Where he goes will have less of an impact on the transfer market than who replaces him.

Let’s get this out of the way up front: Chelsea are not going to pursue Cristiano Ronaldo. Nor will Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid open the door, increase the value or in any other way facilitate Eden Hazard’s transfer to Real.

Even simpler — Eden Hazard: Blue. Cristiano Ronaldo: not Blue, will not be Blue.

Moving on. This was already the summer of the striker in the transfer window, particularly for Chelsea. If Ronaldo leaves Real Madrid, the market for strikers will be in complete disarray. Real was already due for a new galactico signing. Now they will have to replace the biggest one of them all.

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Kylian Mbappe will be among Real’s top two targets, along with Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang. Monaco were demanding close to a world-record fee for the French forward. While Chelsea would attempt to negotiate and lower the fee as much as they can, Real – in keeping with club tradition – would sign the check without blinking an eye.

Chelsea were already a long shot for landing Mbappe. Chelsea’s affinity and apparent preference for Romelu Lukaku and Mbappe’s fee mitigated against the Monaco man. Adding to that, Mbappe recently said that he is obsessed with winning the Champions League. Whatever potential Chelsea have under Antonio Conte to win that competition, Mbappe would clearly choose the back-to-back champions.

Behind Mbappe and Aubameyang, Real Madrid may also pursue another Chelsea target, Juventus’ Paulo Dybala. Dybala is not the direct striker that Ronaldo is, so he would add to Real’s aggregate talent and tactical options rather than replacing Ronaldo.

If Real inexplicably failed or chose to not sign a new striker, they could promote their little-used in-house option, Alvaro Morata. Morata is on the verge of signing with Manchester United, although Chelsea are still in the hunt. His dissatisfaction with Real was mostly based on lack of playing time. He may be willing to stay on the promise of more playing time, particularly if he moves up the depth chart in Ronaldo’s absence.

Must Read: Kylian Mbappe would be a better record signing than Romelu Lukaku

Real Madrid’s presence on the transfer market for a striker is unwelcome news to all the other rich clubs looking to buy this summer. Real’s unlimited budget and willingness to spend gives them first call on any available player. The fee they end up paying for Ronaldo’s replacement will likely further distort the market, resulting in all clubs having to pay more for their targets.

Kylian Mbappe is the most likely contender to replace Ronaldo. He would have been an exorbitant, somewhat unnecessary but wondrous just the same signing for Chelsea. The club is not taking any steps back by seeing him off the market.

However, this latest shake-up is one more reason why Chelsea need to move more quickly and much earlier in the transfer market. Even the most stable player-club relationships can dissipate overnight, throwing everyone’s plans into disarray. The ones left standing are those who took care of business proactively, who secured their future before being left at the mercy of events.

Next: Alex Kiwomya leaves Chelsea loan army for three-year contract with Doncaster Rovers

No one has ever accused Chelsea of proactive, timely transfer business. Hopefully the Blues will confirm Romelu Lukaku, Tiemoue Bakayoko and any other signings before the next summer bombshell drops.

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