Cristiano Ronaldo earns three times more than any other Serie A player and Juventus FC may not be able to afford him due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a report from Marca (via Football Espana), the Italian club has been hit especially hard by the health crisis and maintaining Ronaldo’s hefty salary would be difficult. The reigning Italian champions believe that Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are the two most likely destinations for their superstar.
This isn’t the first time PSG has been linked with Ronaldo and a return to Manchester United is something that the Portugal international has flirted with in the past.
FC Barcelona’s financial issues rule out a potential move for Ronaldo and Real Madrid are unlikely to sign him after selling him just a couple of seasons ago. FC Bayern Munich is another top club that can be ruled out as they don’t typically sign players who are 35-years-old.
In order for a Ronaldo-to-PSG transfer to occur, Marca believes that either Neymar Jr. or Kylian Mbappé would need to be sold in order to afford his wages. However, with the wages of Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani, Layvin Kurzawa, Thomas Meunier, and Mauro Icardi’s loan expiring, there should be plenty of money to pay Ronaldo.
Will Leonardo, PSG’s sporting director, want to pay a 35-year-old that much money is another question. Plus, squeezing Ronaldo in the starting lineup with Neymar and Mbappé, who also prefer to play on the wing, would be very difficult. There’s also the issue of egos. I’m not sure manager, Thomas Tuchel, or anyone for that matter, could manage a group of that many superstars.
Juventus signed Ronaldo in 2018 for €100 million from Real Madrid plus another €240 in salary and taxes per The Guardian. Through 75 total appearances for the Turin-based club, Ronaldo has scored 53 goals and recorded 14 assists.
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