Bayern chairman: Rumours of Ronaldo interest 'unfounded'

Bayern Munich has removed itself from a growing arms race for unsettled Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

With reports indicating Ronaldo has decided to leave the Spanish capital due to allegations of tax evasion, the rumour mill has been sent into overdrive.

Paris Saint-Germain, which reportedly has a transfer budget exceeding €200 million, and Manchester United, Ronaldo's former club, emerged as early contenders for the 32-year-old's signature.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, however, squashed any hope of a move to Bavaria.

"We're used to being the subject of intense transfer speculation during transfer windows. Normally we don't comment on rumours, but in this case, we would like to make our position on Cristiano Ronaldo absolutely clear: This rumour is completely unfounded and must be consigned to the realm of fantasy," Rummenigge told Bayern's website, which ran the quotes in an article entitled, "Hoax of the Day."

Ronaldo currently has a contract with Los Blancos until 2021 which also includes a well-documented €1-billion release clause. But Madrid could part ways with the Portuguese international for a world-record €150-million fee, according to The Telegraph's Jason Burt.

Despite signing a new four-year contract in December, Bayern's own Robert Lewandowski has been suggested as Ronaldo's potential replacement. The Pole's agent said last year Madrid made contact for the 28-year-old poacher, considered one of the finest No. 9s in the modern game, although interest never materialised into a move.