Former AC Milan chief Massimiliano Mirabelli has confirmed they were close to signing current Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo ended an illustrious nine-year stay at Real Madrid when he completed a €112million switch to reigning Serie A champions Juventus last July.

However, Mirabelli claims the Portugal superstar was ready to complete a move to San Siro until Li Yonghong's ill-fated regime blocked the deal prior to hedge fund Elliott Management assuming control of the club.

"It was something we talked about with Jorge Mendes," Mirabelli, who was sacked shortly after the takeover, told Sportitalia.

"We knew there could be problems with Real [and Ronaldo]. We did everything, but then the Chinese owners blocked the deal because it was not sustainable.

"With the current owners CR7 would have been a Milan player."