Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo’s high-profile switch from Real Madrid to Juventus is on course to go through.
The Portuguese superstar hinted after May’s Champions League final win over Liverpool that he had just played his final game for Los Blancos.
Ronaldo has grown frustrated at Madrid’s failure to offer him an improved contract and, according to Balague, unlike in previous years there is now a mutual desire for a transfer to be finalised once his valuation has been met.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Balague said: “Quite clearly Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo know of each other’s intentions. There was a meeting between Ronaldo’s representatives and Real Madrid last night in which the club heard he wants to go. That is the only thing he wants to do.
“Finally Real Madrid caved in and said ‘Okay, if anybody comes with a bid of 100m euros (£88m) then okay we will let you go’. That is where we stand. Juventus have told [Jorge] Mendes and Ronaldo that they will submit that offer at some point and that they will pay him 30m euros net (£26.5m) and are more than happy to give him a four-year contract.
“That is what Ronaldo wants. Now this is the new thing in this situation that has been repeated in the last three summers – Real Madrid are very much open for that to happen.”
Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has remained tight-lipped on the prospect of Ronaldo plying his trade in Serie A next season.