The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Have him! Juventus hawks Cristiano Ronaldo to Barcelona as the Serie A Champions cut down costs

Gossip & Rumours

By Robert Abong'o | Aug 13, 2020

**Juventus v Olympique Lyonnais - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - August 7, 2020 Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the match [REUTERS/Massimo Pinca]**

Andrea Pirlo’s appointment as Head Coach of Juventus has come at a troublesome time.

The Old Lady is not only licking its wounds after that dramatic elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Olympique Lyon but is also facing the risk of a ballooning wage bill following the continuing impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Serie A champions are seeking methods of reducing the club's wage bill, and have reportedly offered its Most Valuable Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo to Barcelona.

This is according to Spanish football analyst Guillem Balague, who spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live.

???? 'Juventus wants to get rid of his wage, he's been offered everywhere including Barcelona' @GuillemBalague on the future of @Cristiano Ronaldo

????? https://t.co/3CW3Ngo4mY pic.twitter.com/OB8W9XH5oz — BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) August 12, 2020

**Juventus v Inter Milan - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - March 8, 2020 Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Inter Milan's Antonio Candreva [REUTERS/Massimo Pinca]**

"The reason why Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked to PSG is not so much that PSG are thinking of getting him, it is because Jorge Mendes has been given instructions to find a team for Ronaldo. We've seen this in the last six months, he was linked to Real Madrid. They said no chance, he's not coming back. And there's been talks about the MLS because Juventus want to get rid of that wage,” said Balague.

The analyst explained how the Portuguese forward has been offered to several big clubs, which have found it hard to step up to his wage, an astounding 23 million euros (Sh2.9 billion)

**Juventus v Sampdoria - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - July 26, 2020 Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates [REUTERS/Massimo Pinca]**

"It is as drastic as that. He's been offered everywhere, including Barcelona.

"I'm not sure if they can get rid of him easily with the kind of money he still earns - 23million euros net - that he was earning at Real Madrid and I think he equalled those wages when he went to Juventus. Who is going to pay that kind of money?"

Ronaldo, 35, has finished as Juventus’ top scorer this season with 37 goals in all competitions.