Manchester City's Mark Hughes: 'I don't want Ronaldo'
Published 00:00 26/10/08 By By Simon Mullock
Mark Hughes has insisted that he has full control over signing players for Manchester City - and that Brazilian legend Ronaldo will not be arriving at Eastlands.
Sunday Mirror Sport revealed earlier this month that City's new Abu Dhabi-based owners are ready to bankroll the Blues to the tune of at least £100m-a-year over the next three seasons.
The Arabs want to see some of football's stellar names playing for City.
But Hughes has slammed the door shut on 32-year-old Ronaldo winning one last major pay-day alongside Brazilian trio Robinho, Elano and Jo.
The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan striker is striving for full fitness after an operation to cure a career-threatening knee injury.
And he has repeated his dream that City will make him another offer, following a move by former Blues owner Thaksin Shinawatra to take him to Manchester.
But Hughes said: "Ronaldo is not an option. It doesn't matter whether he proves his fitness.
"I'm not surprised that he says he wants to come here, but I don't want him and that's my decision."
Ronaldo already has offers from Siena, Sampdoria and Paris St Germain on the table.
He is a free agent after being released by Inter at the end of last season
And Ronaldo said: "Paris is a city that I love and they have a great project to win the league title.
"However, at City I have Robinho, who is a great friend of mine.
"We will see, but in the past few days we have spoken.
"Yes, I've been approached by many clubs, but if City make their offer again I'll consider it. I'm strong and I believe in one or two months I'll be playing at 100 per cent."
Ronaldo (left) is the kind of big name that City's owners are striving to bring to the club.
But Hughes says he has been given assurances that his word on transfers is final. Hughes added: "I have a list of players that I am interested in - and let me stress, it is very much my list and nobody else's.
"It can't be a case of going out and buying five strikers just because they are the biggest names in world football.
"It's not about individuals here. It is about the team. I am trying to build a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the table. I am looking to get the balance of the team right.
"There is money at the club and we will try to get top-quality players, but we do have to be realistic about it.
"There's no point wasting time trying to bring in faces who would have no interest in coming here.
"We will try to get the best players we can for the positions we need to strengthen."
