Juventus 'ready to put Cristiano Ronaldo up for sale' next summer

Serie A - Lazio v Juventus - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - November 8, 2020 Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being substituted off [REUTERS/Alberto Lingria]

Juventus are reportedly ready to cash in on Cristiano Ronaldo next summer in a bid to cut costs and claw back some transfer funds.

The 35-year-old is contracted to the club until 2022 but Juve have come to the conclusion they will not offer him an extension beyond that date.

According to Spanish publication Sport , Juve chiefs now want to put Ronaldo up for sale at the end of the season so as not to lose him for nothing the following year.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is Juve's biggest draw but has still not been able to help the club get close to landing a Champions League title.

That remains the key priority for the Juve hierarchy, but Ronaldo's extortionate salary is becoming a burden on club finances.

The Portuguese forward collects a handsome €31million (£28m) per season - over five times more than the club's second highest earner Paulo Dybala.

Cristiano Ronaldo in action [REUTERS/Alberto Lingria]

The economic impact of coronavirus has sped up Juventus's urge to sell as they are feeling the financial pinch as much as any club.

They are hopeful of recouping some of the £100million they paid Real Madrid for his services in 2018 as well as getting him off the wage bill.

Ronaldo has ambitions to keep playing at the top level beyond his 40th birthday if fitness allows, but Juventus are not keen on retaining him any longer than he is already contracted, given his advancing years.

Should Juventus look to offload Ronaldo, he would likely snub a move to China or MLS to remain in Europe.

PSG are at the front of the queue to try and land his signature if he leaves the Stadio delle Alpi, and the chance to test himself in another of Europe's big leagues would appeal to Ronaldo.

He has still been in good goalscoring form for his side, netting six times in as many matches this season, but was substituted with an ankle injury during his latest outing against Lazio.

 

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