PSG chief talks down Ronaldo and Rooney signings

Paris St Germain director of football Leonardo insists the club have not made an offer for Cristiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney but said he could not rule out big buys this summer.

The capital club are closing in on their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years and put together an impressive Champions League run, exiting the competition unbeaten after being knocked out by Barcelona on the away goals rule at the quarter-final stage.

That success has come on the back of major investment from the club’s Qatari owners, and further spending is expected this summer ahead of another assault on Europe’s premier club competition.

Signing Real Madrid star Ronaldo would be a major statement of intent but Leonardo played down the chances of a deal.

“On Ronaldo, there has never been an offer,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ve never heard anything about (Wayne) Rooney or (Edinson) Cavani either. I do not rule out big signings, but only if there is a suitable opportunity.

“We do want a larger squad with adequate cover in all areas in order to avoid the sort of problems we had in January in midfield with all the injuries and suspensions.”

Most of PSG’s big-money signings last summer came from Italy, highlighted by the deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva from AC Milan, as well the acquisition of Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli and Thiago Motta from Inter Milan, among others.

However, Leonardo – the former AC Milan and Inter coach – said he could cast a wider net this year.

“The market is opening up,” he said. “We may look in Spain or England.”

Even if no deal for Ronaldo emerges, one obvious target at Real Madrid would be France striker Karim Benzema, and Leonardo admitted he was keen to bring some French stars into the PSG line-up.

“The idea of seeing the great French players here is something I like,” he said. “I’m not necessarily talking about Benzema, but maybe (Samir) Nasri, (Franck) Ribery or (Yohan) Cabaye.

“But I do not know if it is feasible and I have not had contact with any of them.”