Why clubs are not rushing to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

By Callum Castel-Nuovo

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 783 career goals during a 19-year career span and though he is contracted to Juventus until 2022, he is open to leaving the Serie A this summer with only five days of the window remaining.

Juventus wish to receive at least £21.4m (€25m) for the 36-year-old, whilst Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is looking for a club willing to pay a £25m transfer fee.

Manchester City appear to be the only club throwing their hat in the ring for Ronaldo but are not willing to pay a transfer fee as of yet. Despite this, they are willing to offer a two-year contract of £12.8m (€15m) per season in wages, half of Ronaldo‘s current wages at Juventus (€31m).

With Harry Kane making it clear that he will stay at Tottenham Hotspur this season, it would make sense for Manchester City to close in on the Portuguese forward, but the transfer fee appears to be putting the club off. Nevertheless, if City were willing to pay €150m for Harry Kane, why would €25m deter them from the three time Premier League winner?

Ronaldo’s age could be an issue. At 36, there will be concern that the forward may not be able to continue his form throughout a new venture, particularly as Ronaldo has gone from scoring 48 league goals in a season at the age of 30 to 29 league goals in a season at the age of 36. Ronaldo would be 38 at the end of a two-year contract and the transfer fee plus wages may just not end up being worth the price.

The timing could also be an issue due to the window closing shortly. Between ‘The Big 6’, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have spent a combined £506m so far during this window, leaving clubs to have their hands tied regarding finances. Had Ronaldo become available earlier in the window, clubs may have been circling around Juventus with offers.

However, last season in the Serie A, Ronaldo outscored Chelsea’s record breaking signing Romelu Lukaku (€115m) by five goals, scoring 29 goals altogether compared to Lukaku’s 24. This was topped off by winning the Euro 2020 Golden Boot with 5 goals ahead of the likes of Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski, though Portugal exited the competition early in the Round of 16.

This signifies that Cristiano Ronaldo’s days are not yet numbered and as one of the worlds greatest ever goalscorers, he would be expected to make a positive impact to any clubs front line.