Man City cool on Ronaldo rumours

Manchester City have decided against following up an interest in former Brazil striker Ronaldo, the club said on Tuesday following claims by the player that he was set to move to England.

The 31-year-old is currently without a club and has been attempting to regain his fitness following knee surgery in February by training with Brazilian club Flamengo.

He was quoted this week as saying that he had received an offer from newly-rich City that he planned to accept and that he was looking forward to linking up with compatriot Robinho in Manchester.

“Me and him together, we can score more than 50 goals,” he said.

But a City spokesperson said the club would not be pursuing their interest in the former Barcelona and AC Milan forward.

“We had shown a past interest in bringing the player to the football club in the right circumstances and spoke to him and his representatives,” a City spokesperson said. “However, we have chosen not to pursue the matter.”

City manager Mark Hughes has extensive resources at his disposal following the club's takeover by the Abu Dhabi-based United Group for Development and Investment.

But he has repeatedly stressed that he will only sign players he feel can strengthen his squad.