August 27, (THEWILL) – The transfer drama surrounding Portuguese Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was boosted by comments attributed to club manager Massimiliano Allegri on Friday, who sought to temper reactions to the intention of the striker to leave Italy.
The returnee Juventus manager said: “I’m not disappointed by Cristiano Ronaldo. He wants to leave Juventus and he made a choice, he’s gonna look for a new club after three years here. It’s part of life.”
The comments go to prove beyond all doubts that Ronaldo has definitely decided to leave Juve and will not be available for selection, especially for their next match, which is against Empoli at home in the Allianz Stadium.
Yet, there has not been an official bid from Manchester City to Juventus for the five-time Ballon d’Or champion. The expectation is that this will come about after City agree personal terms with the striker for what may come up to a €28 million transfer deal with the Old Lady, when the time comes.
Coincidentally, Ronaldo himself had come out forcefully against rumours that linked him with a possible exit from the Serie A giants. He had shared his view online, writing: “More than the disrespect for me as a man and as a player, the frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs involved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff.”
The move will favour Pep Guardiola’s City after their summer-long drive to bring their top target Harry Kane was unsuccessful leading to the striker reaffirming his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur. Their desire to fill in the void created with the exit of Sergio Aguero can be filled with the high-priced option of a Ronaldo contract.
Guardiola has been left unsatisfied with his attacking class of players. Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez have left the manager desiring more and was behind the drive to bring in Kane. However, City could now fill that deficit by bringing in one of the best players in the world over the last 20 years.
The 36-year-old UEFA Champions League record-setting goal-scorer remains a threat on the pitch. With 60 goals in 66 Serie A matches over the last two seasons, he has not witnessed any decline even as he advances in age.
If he brings that to the quality already on offer at City, not only is the possibility there to create an exciting partnership with teammates at the Etihad for the domestic title, but make for interesting European football with City scheduled to meet Ligue 1 side PSG in the UEFA Champions League group stages.
Should City complete the move before the transfer window closes Tuesday, football fans of European football will expect to see another iteration of the lingering arch-rivalry between PSG’s Lionel Messi and Ronaldo re-enacted with the pair in two different clubs for the first time ever and Guardiola now on Ronaldo’s side.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
