CRISTIANO RONALDO must accept a £62.5million transfer, agree to a significant pay cut or quit Juventus for free in 2022, according to stunning reports.
The latest bombshell news comes as the Italian giants prepare for the serious financial implications of coronavirus.
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Cristiano Ronaldo could be forced out of Juventus or to take a major pay cut due to the financial impact of coronavirusCredit: AFP or licensors
Italy is the worst-affected country in the world with more than 11,500 people dying after contracting Covid-19.
Now the nation’s dominant football club – whose stars Daniele Rugani, Blaise Matuidi and Paulo Dybala have all tested positive – may be pushed into taking drastic action to survive.
According to Italian newspaper Il Messagero, the Old Lady could be forced into three choices with Ronaldo.
Reports earlier stated the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 35, may have to leave the Turin team as part of the club’s desperate attempts to balance the books.
Now further details suggest Juventus may have a nigh-on impossible decision to make.
Il Messagero believe the club will not be able to offer Ronaldo a simple extension on his current £510,000-a-week contract which runs until 2022.
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Instead, the report suggests Ronaldo – who has 53 goals in 75 Juve appearances since joining from Real Madrid in 2018 – may be sold when the transfer window reopens.
Should this be the case, the club are determined to get at least £60m for their star man but admit it will be difficult to get too much more due to his age, length of contract and the turbulent and uncertain times due to coronavirus.
Another option could see Ronaldo’s employers try and convince him to take a dramatic pay cut from 2022 onwards.
He will be 37 by the time his initial deal expires and could be strong-armed into a slash in his wages in order to stay with Juventus.
Finally, the reigning Serie A champions – who have won the last eight titles – could simply let the forward’s deal run its course and opt against offering him a new deal.
That would enable them to keep hold of him for another two seasons as they look to end their Champions League hiatus – they have not won the tournament since 1996 – and then allow him to go for nothing while crucially make a major saving on the wage bill.
Ronaldo is currently self-isolating with his family in Madeira and shared an adorable picture with his kids on Instagram reminding his 209m followers to be thankful for family and good health.
The post came hours after Ronaldo took his kids and partner Georgina out for some fresh air in Funchal.
Portugal still has a “voluntary lockdown” in force from its government, allowing people to leave their houses as long as they are respectful with personal space.
But his trip out didn’t go down well with one local politician who branded him a tramp and ordered him to leave the country.
The ex-Manchester United hero has already agreed to defer £3.5m in wages to ensure Juventus can pay their staff amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Ronaldo is one of several members of the squad to sign up to the deal after captain Giorgio Chiellini video called senior members of the team to talk it through.
Cristiano took to social media to share a gushing post as he self-isolates with his family
Cristiano Ronaldo shares adorable video of him playing football with young family in self isolation melting fans hearts
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
