TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 14: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Juventus and Atalanta BC at Allianz Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Ronaldo to Begrudgingly Stay at Juventus, Talks with Man City Fruitless

Cristiano Ronaldo took it to Instagram yesterday to silence the buzz about a Real Madrid return. The star slammed the ‘disrespectful’ transfer market rumors in the lengthy post, but he did not directly mention Juventus. At this stage, he is likely to stay mostly due to the lack of real alternative options.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jorge Mendes talked with the biggest clubs during the summer but did not find a solution. Ronaldo would have preferred to leave to chase Champions League and another Ballon d’Or. He has looked detached and restless in practice, while still being professional.

His agent recently traveled to Manchester to propose his client to City. They did not take him in serious consideration as they are focusing on Harry Kane, La Repubblica informs. Moreover, they do want to pay a fee to Juventus considering that they would have to take on his massive wages. On the other hand, the Bianconeri would ask for about €30M to sell Ronaldo in this window.

Real Madrid have shut the door on the shocking return. Carlo Ancelotti dismissed the report suggesting that he was pushing to bring him back. The only target of the Merengues is Kylian Mbappé. The French star had a meeting with the PSG brass yesterday and told them he is staying for at least another season, AS relays. He might announce it personally in short order. If such development were confirmed, there would not be room for Ronaldo in the star-studded French club either.