Cristiano Ronaldo will never wear a Juventus shirt again, it has been confirmed.
The 36-year-old’s situation at the club has evolved drastically over the past week following his benching against Udinese. It was revealed that Ronaldo had specifically requested to be named among the substitutes as he sought to find a solution over his Juventus future.
It appears that his desired solution has been found.
Ronaldo will leave Juventus this summer
Various reporters including Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Thursday night that Ronaldo has decided to leave Juventus and has asked the club to be sold.
Gianluca Di Marzio (via Forza Juventus) added that the Portuguese great will say his final goodbyes to teammates at Continassa tomorrow before departing for good. His next destination is set to be Manchester City.
The Cityzens were initially hesitant to meet Juve’s valuation of the player, but Di Marzio reports that they’ll make a bid on Friday worth €30m – one that the Bianconeri will most certainly accept.
90min, meanwhile, add that Ronaldo is willing to take a huge pay cut to facilitate a move to the sky blue side of Manchester. The 36-year-old was earning a monster £510,000-a-week in Turin but is reportedly willing to drop his weekly wage to £250,000 to push through a move.
Kevin De Bruyne is currently City’s highest earner after recently signing a new deal worth around £380,000-a-week.
Player exchange?
With City willing to meet Juve’s valuation, it means that no players will be exchanged as part of the deal.
Aymeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus had all been discussed in a potential player exchange, but all look to be staying at the Etihad for the time being.
Replacements?
Romeo Agresti (via Bianconeri Zone) reported earlier on Thursday that Juventus will be looking to replace Ronaldo before the window closes.
Plenty of names have been discussed, with Di Marzio saying that the club rejected the chance to sign Antoine Griezmann, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earlier this summer.
Gianluca Scamacca and Moise Kean have been touted as possibilities, as has Mauro Icardi, but it’s understood that the Argentine is keen on staying at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Juve are believed to be targeting a young striker to replace Ronaldo.