Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has courted controversy once againafterreports in Spainsuggested that the Portuguese captain told club officials not to sign Paul Pogba last summer.
The Frenchman was thought to be in the middle of a tug-of-war between Los Blancos and former employers Manchester United, before he eventually sealed his return to Old Trafford for a world record transfer fee of £89m.
United might have Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for re-signing Paul Pogba #mufc https://t.co/FCTSVoD80P pic.twitter.com/FDkXkMdmRI
It was initially thought that Real Madrid were in pole position to sign the midfielder, however it would appear that their failure to land Pogba could have been influenced by their talisman, who only last month was rumoured to have vetoed an approach for Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Ronaldo is understood to have used his position of power at the Bernabeu by telling club directors not to sign Pogba, despite many suggesting that he will one day become one of the game's top players.
The reason for Ronaldo's stance has yet to be revealed, however the Spanish media outlet reporting his veto from last year also suggest he has similar concerns about Los Blancos next midfield target, Marco Verratti.
The Italian could be sold by current club PSG at the end of the seasonand with Barcelona already showing an interest in signing the 24-year-old, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is also said to be keen, as his concerns grow over the lack ofdepth in his squad.
Having undergone a 40-match unbeaten run earlier this season, Los Blancos' form has declined in recent months, meaning they have lost their large lead at the top of the tableslipand though they have a game in hand over their rivals, a 3-3 draw with Las Palmas in midweek saw Zidane's men lose top spot to Barcelona.