Picture Credit: Juventus FC
According to multiple media reports, Premier League champions Manchester City are close to signing Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo from Serie A side Juventus. City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to Ronaldo on the phone on Thursday morning ahead of his possible departure from Juventus, reports added. Ronaldo's contract with Juve expires next summer, and it is highly unlikely that he will sign a new deal.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward has reportedly made up his mind to leave the Italian giants. According to Sky Sport Italia, the Portugal captain has even cleaned out his locker in the dressing room at Juventus and is reluctant to make himself available to face Empoli this weekend. Notably, City have been widely linked with a move for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner after missing out on England captain Harry Kane.
Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes to discuss Ronaldo’s salary
Football transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano also confirmed the news on social media. Romano revealed that Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes will be in direct contact with Man City on Friday to discuss Ronaldo’s salary.
Early on his career, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances for City's fierce rivals Manchester United. He then made the move to Real Madrid in 2009, where he scored a remarkable 450 goals in 438 appearances. He also won Champions League four times in a glittering nine-year spell at the Bernabeu.
At Juventus, he has scored 101 goals in 134 appearances since arriving in 2018. However, the Old Lady have been unable to win the Champions League. Juventus have not made it past the quarter-finals since Ronaldo's arrival. They have been beaten in the last 16 for the last two seasons. Last season, Juventus were deposed as Italian champions by Inter Milan.
The transfer deadline is approaching fast on August 31. With the clock ticking fast, a deal will have to be agreed soon so as the transfer could be completed within the stipulated time frame.