With every passing day, Cristiano Ronaldo looks increasingly likely to leave Real Madrid for Juventus amid reports of the Spanish side considering a €88m bid.
Ronaldo, who scored 54 goals in 54 appearances for club and country last season, has long been linked with a move away from Madrid following reported unhappiness with the club’s board.
And these links took a big step following the end of the season, with Ronaldo intimating his immediate future lies away from the Bernabeu amid rumoured interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
But, according to recent reports, Juventus have made inroads to sign the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and are now in pole position, with the Portuguese forward currently on holiday following a World Cup campaign.
So just how have the Ronaldo transfer rumours reached this stage?
May 26: Ronaldo first sparks rumours of departure
While Juventus were not mentioned initially, shortly following Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool Ronaldo hinted at potentially leaving the club after nine years.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won five Champions League trophies, four at Real Madrid and one with Manchester United
“It was very nice to be at Real Madrid,” the 33-year-old said.
“In the coming days I will give a response to the fans, who have always been at my side.”
And when quizzed again later in the night, Ronaldo added: “The future of players isn’t important right now.
“I have no doubts, it’s not important right now. Later I’ll rest and go with the national team.
“We will see what happens.”
May 26: Ronaldo’s teammates comment on his future
Ronaldo’s remarks, in their immediacy after the Champions League final, were soon commented on by some of his Real Madrid teammates.
First was club captain Sergio Ramos, who urged Ronaldo to clarify his statement without delay.
“I suppose he will have been speaking about a summary of the season,” Ramos said.
“If there is something there, he must clarify it today.
“He is a key piece for us. He could not be in a better place.”
Almost a month later with the World Cup in full swing and Ronaldo focussing on his Portugal side, Spain and Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal added his own opinion to reports of the forward leaving.
“Only Ronaldo knows if he will leave or not,” Carvajal said when quizzed about the forward’s future.
“I have not talked with him since the Champions League final, but he will know in his head what decision he will make.
“It is normal in a team dressing room that there are different groups as certain players get on particularly well with others.
“I hope he stays at Madrid but he will make the decision he thinks is best for himself.”
Ronaldo would help his Portugal side reach the last-16 of the World Cup, scoring four goals in the group stage but was powerless as they lost to Uruguay 2-1.
And it seemed with this, the reports of his future resurfaced and a new name in Juventus arrived.
July 3: Juventus’ Ronaldo interest first reported
While Ronaldo’s comments initially had fans linking the Portuguese forward with a return to United, over a month on and reports surfaced claiming Serie A champions Juventus were preparing a bid.
Juventus were a late arrival in the race for Ronaldo
Spanish news outlet Marca and Tuttosport in Italy were among the first to report on transfer negotiations taking place over a deal for Juventus to sign Ronaldo.
Juventus were said to be willing to offer Ronaldo a four-year contract, with wages working out to €30m per season – a big commitment for a player who will be 37 by the time the deal is up.
Marca also claimed Ronaldo is keen to make the move to Juventus, and has contacted the Madrid board to push his transfer through.
July 3: Ronaldo reports laughed off by ex-Juventus director
A former managing director with Juventus, Luciano Moggi, played down the reports.
“It makes me laugh,” Moggi said.
“Juve’s problem is not Ronaldo, it’s putting together the defence and the midfield.
“For me they would be wrong to get Cristiano with a €30 million salary.
“Everyone should remember that I had a deal to buy him as a kid, Ronaldo, but [Marcelo] Salas said no, so it didn’t happen.”
13:41: Blaise Matuidi speaks on Ronaldo to Juventus
The rumours linking Ronaldo to Juventus picked up even more speed with Bianconeri midfielder Blaise Matuidi commented on the move, claiming it would be great for the club were he to sign.
Blaise Matuidi would welcome Ronaldo at Juventus
“I’m not going to lie it would be just great,” said Matuidi, speaking while on duty with France’s national team at the World Cup.
“It would be great to have one of the best players in the world with Juventus in the same club that I am.
“It would be great for the club and for the Juventus players.
“However, today I’m a player of the French national team and we have bigger fish to fry, no?”
15:05: Real Madrid reportedly considering Juventus’ Ronaldo bid
The latest instalment to the rumours came in two-fold with Real Madrid said to be considering a €100m bid from Juventus for Ronaldo, according to Sky Sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player in Champions League history to score 10 goals against a single club in the competition.
It's Juventus. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/sXVddrt0xI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 4, 2018
Though it is claimed Madrid are yet to accept or reject the bid, the reports from Sky, along with BBC Sport, say Juventus have evaluated the financial impacts of signing Ronaldo, considering also his wage demands, and are keen to press ahead.
Wednesday afternoon: Juventus for Cristiano Ronaldo trending
As a result of the reports, ‘Juventus for Cristiano Ronaldo’ was trending on Twitter in the UK late Wednesday afternoon, with the phrase having been included in 15.3K Tweets at the time of writing.
The reported fee would see Juventus pay €6m more than Madrid initially did when they signed Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2009.
The post A timeline of how the Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus story exploded appeared first on Squawka News.
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