Shares in Juventus jumped almost 10% on Thursday on the back of reports that Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo "might soon join the Italian club," according to Elvira Pollina of REUTERS. For a second day running, Juventus declined to comment on the reports. At 12:30pm GMT, Juventus shares were trading 9% higher at €0.81 ($0.95). Over the last three days, shares in the club "surged" more than 20% in heavy trading volumes "as speculation over a Ronaldo transfer mounted." Several Italian newspapers said on Thursday that Ronaldo's agent was expected to meet Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez "later the same day to discuss the possible transfer." A Milan-based trader said, "It would be a big deal, increasing the team's appeal and also because it would bigger business for Juve, through merchandising" (REUTERS, 7/5). BLOOMBERG's Joe Easton reported Real Madrid would consider a fee of about €100M ($116.8M) for Ronaldo, a "fraction" of his €1B ($1.17B) release clause, according to Marca. While a fee of the reported amount "may seem high for a player in the twilight of his career," it "would be a coup for the Turin-based side" known as "la Vecchia Signora," or The Old Lady, given Ronaldo's global brand appeal as well as his on-field talent. Robert Wilson, a lecturer in sports business management at Sheffield Hallam University, said that Ronaldo is a "marketer's dream" who would "entice fresh revenue to Juventus through sponsorships, full stadiums and potential broadcasting rights" (BLOOMBERG, 7/5).
MANCHESTER'S MOVE: In London, Luke Edwards reported the "pressure" is on ManU to make a counter offer if it wants to resign its former star from Real Madrid. ManU "will be wary of being dragged into another wild goose chase when it comes to Ronaldo," having been led to believe the Portugal int'l wanted to leave Madrid four years ago to return to Old Trafford. On that occasion, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner "merely" used the club's interest as a "bargaining chip" and decided to sign a new contract to remain in Spain. Whether ManU decides to enter the bidding "remains to be seen." Ronaldo is believed to be seeking wages of around £500,000 ($660,600) a week and "had a difficult relationship" with Manager José Mourinho toward "the end of their time at Real Madrid." ManU also retains an interest in Real winger Gareth Bale (TELEGRAPH, 7/5).
Cristiano Ronaldo is seeking a €60M annual salary.GETTY IMAGES
GETTING EMOTIONAL: In London, Gary Jacob reported according to accounts in Spain, Ronaldo feels that Real "ignored him while the club searched for his successor and publicly courted Neymar." There are also believed to have been "promises of a new contract" that did not materialize. He was "annoyed that Real did not support him in his dispute with the Spanish tax office in the way that Barcelona helped Lionel Messi in a similar issue" (LONDON TIMES, 7/5). ESPN.com's Dermot Corrigan reported when asked by Sky Sports Italia whether Juventus fans "could dream of Ronaldo," Juventus GM Giuseppe Marotta declined to confirm or deny the reports, saying, "I will not speak [about the speculation]" (ESPN.com, 7/5). In London, Ed Malyon reported the Italian club is "keen to sign" Ronaldo on a contract that would be four times its current highest wage and "nearly half the existing wage bill" of its entire squad. Getting a sponsor "on board to help fund Ronaldo's demands" of a €60M ($70.1M) gross annual salary "would be difficult," though Fiat has been "linked to such a deal" (INDEPENDENT, 7/5).
