Cristiano Ronaldo’s representative Jorge Mendes has asked Juventus powerbrokers to extend his client’s contract to 2023. According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via The Sun), the Portuguese super-agent wants to prolong the forward’s future in Turin despite recent reports suggesting otherwise.
Only yesterday, it looked like Juventus and Ronaldo could be parting ways in the foreseeable future on the back of rumors about the club’s intention to cut ties with the 36-year-old. The Bianconeri have been massively impacted financially by the results of the Covid-19 pandemic and have to mitigate losses by trimming the wage bill.
Therefore, the record-time Serie A champions have reportedly decided to put Ronaldo up for sale, with a figure of just £25million circling around. Juventus see the Portugal captain’s departure as a perfect way to balance the books. They could save up to £75m by dispatching the club’s highest earner.
By contrast, Ronaldo seems determined to extend his time at the Allianz Arena. The superstar’s agent has already taken necessary steps towards securing him a new deal at Juventus, with his current contract running out at the end of next season.
Mendes’ latest actions arrived as a consequence of Manchester United’s withdrawal from the race for the club legend. The Red Devils appear to have abandoned the track to Ronaldo as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks some younger solutions.
Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain, who long looked like Ronaldo’s genuine suitors, have also pulled the plug on their pursuit of the Euro 2020 top scorer so far. A lack of high-profile landing spots may have prompted Mendes to press ahead with an extension proposal.
Despite entering the autumn of his career, Ronaldo remains one of the fiercest forwards in world football. The ex-Real Madrid talisman netted 29 goals in 32 Serie A outings last season to earn his first Capocannoniere award since moving to Italy in 2018.