Ronaldo almost ended up in Birmingham City before Man U move, claims David Sullivan

Former Birmingham City football team owner David Sullivan has claimed that the club could have bagged Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo for just six million pounds before the forward moved to Manchester United.

Ronaldo moved from Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford back in the summer of 2003 and the forward established himself as one of the planet's elite players during six years in Manchester.

Real Madrid broke the world transfer record to land Ronaldo for around 80 million pounds in 2009, and the former United star has plundered a remarkable 34 goals in 27 appearances already this term, the Mirror reported.

Former Birmingham chief Sullivan, who is now at West Ham United, revealed how it could have all been so different for Ronaldo's formative years in England. He said that before the Portuguese went to United, they were offered him for 6 million pounds, and he chose United ahead of Birmingham.

Sullivan added that there was a deal to be done. He claimed that when Ronaldo went to United there were lots of doubts about him, and the Portuguese wasn't the star that he is now.

Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League during his time at Old Trafford, the report added.