However, while executive chairman Garry Cook did meet the player and club officials carried out medical checks on a knee ligament injury Ronaldo sustained in February, the club will not be completing a deal.

“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,” admitted a club spokesperson.

“However, we have chosen not to pursue the matter.”

While some City fans might be disappointed at the news, most will be relieved.

Recent photographs of the former World Cup winner indicate he is way over his ’fighting’ weight and unlikely to challenge Robinho or Jo for a first-team place.

And it also shows manager Mark Hughes is being allowed to manage the club his way.

Hughes never got involved in the high-profile courting of Ronaldinho during the summer and signing Ronaldo makes even less sense.

His stated aim is to bring in players who still have a desire to make an impact at the highest level, a description that would not appear to apply in Ronaldo’s case.

City’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi-based United Group for Development and Investment is due to be completed this week but it will be January before they can make any further meaningful additions to Hughes’ squad.

In the meantime, the Blues will head to Cyprus for Thursday’s UEFA Cup clash against Omonia Nicosia, with Robinho looking to build on his memorable debut day strike against Chelsea on Saturday even if the eventual defeat was not what City wanted.