Chelsea Target Ronaldo as Mourinho Moves Closer to Stamford Bridge Return - Report

Chelsea could move for Real Madrid star and Manchester United target Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, according to the Mail. Roman Abramovich is believed to be close to re-signing former coach José Mourinho in the summer and could view the Portuguese international as the perfect statement of intent to his rivals.

Mourinho's time at the Santiago Bernabeu has been acrimonious, at the very least, and his ejection from Friday night's Copa del Rey final against Atlético Madrid will have done little to improve his reputation in the Spanish capital.

The fact Atlético beat their cross-town rivals 2-1, in their own stadium, to win the Spanish cup and end a 14-year barren run against the nine-time European champions will not have helped matters either. And the fact Ronaldo also saw red in a bad-tempered game will only add to speculation the two are set to leave in the summer.

The 28-year-old former United forward has two years left on his present deal and although club president Florentino Perez has insisted an extension will be signed, the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, has confirmed his client faces an uncertain summer.

Ronaldo has been strongly linked with a return to Old Trafford but also has admirers at Paris St Germain (PSG). The 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year is believed to prefer moving back to United, should he leave Spain, but with Sir Alex Ferguson retiring in the summer it remains to be seen if new boss David Moyes can persuade the Red Devils' former star to return.

Mourinho and Ronaldo share what is believed to be a difficult relationship, with reports of intense arguments earlier this year. Ronaldo also appeared to shout at Mourinho last weekend, during a La Liga game against Malaga; the winger scored his 200th goal for Madrid in a 6-2 win and then pointed to the club's badge on his jersey and then himself.

If Abramovich does indeed want to sign Ronaldo, then Chelsea officials and Mourinho may have a difficult task on their hands - to convince the winger to bury the hatchet and, most importantly, return to the Premier League to challenge United on a regular basis.