CRISTIANO RONALDO almost joined AC Milan before the deal hit the rocks, according to former sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli.
The Portuguese forward, who recently rejected millions from a sponsorship deal in Saudi Arabia over their human rights record, made the most high profile move of 2018 when he swapped Real Madrid for Italian champions Juventus in a £100million deal.
Cristiano Ronaldo had an agreement to join AC Milan before JuventusCredit: MASSIMO PINCA
Massimiliano Mirabelli revealed how AC Milan almost signed RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor
But the 35-year-old’s future could have panned out differently if previous Milan owner Li Yonghong hadn’t pulled the plug on the move.
Mirabelli admitted that the move wasn’t financially feasible but he would be playing in a Milan shirt now had the current owners been at the helm.
Speaking to TV channel Sportitalia, he said: “It was something we talked about with Jorge Mendes.
“We knew there could be problems with Real and Ronaldo. We did everything, but then the Chinese owners blocked the deal because it was not sustainable.
“With the current owners CR7 would have been a Milan player.”
AC Milan were taken over by American hedge fund Elliot Management in July 2018 to end Li’s one-year spell at the club.
Mirabelli also revealed how they attempted to appoint former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte as manager – who is now at rivals Inter.
He added: “I was proud to have made this choice [when appointing Gattuso] because of his professionalism, his seriousness and the love he and his staff put into their work.
“The Chinese owners did not agree because they thought from the outside it would look like a backward step, but I explained that for me Rino was the coach of the future.
“He has worked in Greece, Serie C and B and for me this is a positive.
“We listened to [Conte], we talked directly. It was a chat that didn’t result in anything.”
Former owner Li Yonghong pulled the plug on the deal over financial concernsCredit: Reuters
Ronaldo moved to Juve from Real Madrid for £100m in the summer of 2018Credit: AFP or licensors
Cristiano Ronaldo rejects £5.3million-a-year to be face of Saudi Arabian tourism with fears over human rights record
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
