MADRID – Manchester City are close to reaching an agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Portuguese to continue his career under Pep Guardiola, according to various sources have reported on ESPN.
The Spanish coach himself and Ronaldo spoke on the phone on Thursday morning about a possibility that is getting closer and closer to England.
The same sources admit to ESPN that there is still a lack of agreement between clubs for the operation to take place but there is moderate optimism on the part of the English.
In this sense, other sources assure ESPN that Juventus is demanding around 28 million euros to approve the departure of the former Real Madrid player.
ESPN already reported in June that Ronaldo’s representatives were talking to the big clubs in Europe to try to find a new destination in Portuguese.
Ronaldo’s rep already tried City a while ago but Guardiola’s team initially turned down the offer to focus on hiring Harry Kane.
However, following Tottenham Hotspur’s refusal to let the English striker out, City reconsidered their strategy and reopened negotiations with Ronaldo.
From Italy, sources close to the operation admit to ESPN that Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is “calm” with the possibility of losing to CR7 but has already asked the club to come another 9 for replace it.
ESPN sources report that talks between Juventus and Manchester City will begin shortly to reach a final agreement as soon as possible.
Cristiano Ronaldo was a substitute in the first match of the season between Juventus and Udinese which ended in a two-goal draw. The Portuguese came out in the second half. Last Wednesday, he was even withdrawn from training due to an apparent arm injury. In 134 games with Juve, Cristiano has scored 101 goals.
Between 2003 and 2009, the international for Portugal played in the eternal rival of the City. At Manchester United he won the Champions League and 3 Premier League between 2003 and 2009, the year he signed for Real Madrid.
ESPN has learned that Jorge Mendes has also offered the PSG the chance to sign Ronaldo to replace Kylian Mbappé, but the Parisian club has so far rejected this option.
Gabrielle Marcotti contributed to this report