Italian giants Juventus are in the blink of losing Cristiano Ronaldo if the club fails to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Juventus have had a rough season and may, for the first time, not qualify for the Champions League since the 2011/12 campaign.
Manchester United is one of the teams keeping a close eye on the Portuguese superstar in case Juventus drops him. The 36-year-old footballer has made 133 appearances and scored 101 goals for the Italian giants since he left Real Madrid in 2018.
Juventus currently holds the fifth position in the Italian Serie A league and hopes to win the next game to seal qualification for the Champions League. However, one club from position 2 to 4 must also lose or be held to a draw for Juventus to qualify.
As reported by the athletic, ‘agents that are connected to Juventus insist that Cristiano may leave Juventus this season’ and staff at Old Trafford are monitoring the situation. Cristiano made 292 appearances for Manchester United and scored 118 goals before he left in 2009 to join the Spaniards, Real Madrid.
Talking to talkSPORT, Fabrizio Romano, a trusted transfer journalist, said that failure to qualify for the Champions League could be the end of Ronaldo’s career at Juventus.
“If Juventus will not qualify for the Champions League, the feeling here in Italy is that Cristiano will ask to leave,” Romano said.
“Let us wait and see which football club can sign Ronaldo this summer. The star already has an incredible salary here for one more season for £30million.”
“The decision is also hard on Cristiano, and it is also hard to find a club ready to pay him such a salary in this financial situation”
“It is clear that Cristiano wants to play Champions League and Juventus have crucial matches to try gaining points”
Solskjaer has reached out to Ronaldo
It is reported that the United boss has personally talked with Cristiano and shared with him the vision for the team. According to the report, Solskjaer told Cristiano how his transfer could transform the club. Solskjaer was in a past interview saying Cristiano is among the best he played with. Man United’s fans still chant the name of the Portuguese striker to date even if he left the club 12 years ago
Sporting Lisbon is Cristiano’s dream retirement team
Cristiano won the Champions League and 3 Premier League titles at Old Trafford under the stewardship of Alex Furgeson between 2003-2009. The star is not looking forward to a transfer that would bring his career to full circle. If he rejoins Manchester United, he would ultimately want to end his career in Portugal playing for Sporting Lisbon, where his career all started.
What are the odds of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Juventus this summer?
The Portuguese star current deal at Juventus expires next summer, and if Juve wants to get some good money from him, this summer is the opportune moment. Sportsbooks are already offering betting options on the Cristiano transfer possibilities, and some of the major teams on the odds include Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid, and PSG.
Punters will be interested in the unfolding, and the final game against Bologna can change the story for good. Heritage Review depicts the sportsbooks as an awesome option for live betting.
Does Cristiano fit United’s legend status?
Ronaldo has won Ballon d’Or five times, among the highest in the world. Even though his success at United cannot be ignored, the club is not in short supply of legends, with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes leading the pack.
Cristiano best fits the title of a Real Madrid legend as he made 438 appearances for the club and scored a staggering 450 games. On the other hand, the Portuguese made 292 appearances for Manchester United and netted 118 goals from 2003 until he left in 2009 for Real Madrid.
What other options does United have?
Juventus are likely to demand €25 million or a swap deal for the global star. United has to weigh their options, and Harry Kane is one option as he is likely to leave Tottenham Spurs at the end of the season. Erling Haaland is also another possible signing that Manchester United is eyeing.
