Man City deny Ronaldo speculation

Ronaldo has not played since injuring his knee in February

Manchester City have rejected Brazil striker Ronaldo's claims that he is on the verge of joining his compatriot Robinho at Eastlands.

The 31-year-old three-time world player of the year, currently recovering from a serious knee injury, is a free agent after leaving AC Milan in the summer.

Ronaldo was quoted as saying City had made "the best offer I've received".

However, a City spokesman said the club met Ronaldo's representatives but chose not to follow up their interest.

"We had shown a past interest in bringing the player to the football club in the right circumstances and spoke to him and his representatives," revealed the spokesman.

"However, we have chosen not to pursue the matter."

The former Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan forward has been plagued by injury problems in recent seasons and has not played since he ruptured a knee ligament while turning out for Milan in February.

But the French surgeons who operated on his left knee have said Ronaldo could be fit to play after two to three months of heavy work-outs to build up the strength in his leg.

Ronaldo said he could help make City "one of the best clubs in the world" and predicted a partnership with Robinho could yield 50 goals in the Premier League.

"I like the project that City presented me," said Ronaldo, who has been training with Brazilian club Flamengo.

"It's the best offer I've received and it will be interesting to play with Robinho."

City stunned the football world with the £32.5m record signing of Robinho from Real Madrid and the club's new owners Abu Dhabi United Group have spoken about bringing several world-class players to Eastlands.

Liverpool's Fernando Torres, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo are some of the names that City's owners have revealed they want to sign.