Cristiano Ronaldo CONFIRMS Juventus deal as Real Madrid accept £105m transfer fee

Talks between the two clubs and Ronaldo’s camp emerged early last week and have accelerated in recent days.

In an open letter to fans, Ronaldo thanked Real for his nine years spent with the La Liga giants.

“These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life.

“I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club, for this hobby and for this city. I can only thank all of them for the love and affection I have received.

“However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me. I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to please understand me.”

Real Madrid statment

In a statement the Spanish club said: “Real Madrid CF communicates that, in response to the will and request expressed by the player Cristiano Ronaldo, he has agreed to transfer to Juventus FC.

“Today, Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude to a player who has proved to be the best in the world and who has marked one of the brightest times in the history of our club and world football.

“Beyond the conquered titles, the trophies achieved and the triumphs achieved in the playing fields during these 9 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an example of dedication, work, responsibility, talent and improvement.

“He has also become the top scorer in the history of Real Madrid with 451 goals in 438 games. In total 16 titles, including 4 European Cups, 3 of them consecutive and 4 in the last 5 seasons. On an individual basis, with the Real Madrid jersey he has won 4 Gold Balls, 2 The Best, and 3 Gold Boots, among many other awards.

“For Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo will always be one of its great symbols and a unique reference for the next generations.

“Real Madrid will always be your home.”

Juventus are understood to have had a £105m offer for Ronaldo accepted by Real Madrid.

The Portugal international, who has only just returned from competing in the World Cup, will sign a four-year contract at the Turin club.

He will be paid a staggering £106m over the duration of his deal, which is being sponsored in part by car company FIAT.

Juve have been crunching the numbers trying to figure out how they can afford Ronaldo, who will be paid four times as much as their current highest-earner, Gonzalo Higuain.

They believe they can finance the deal without breaching UEFA’s financial fair play regulations.

Juventus player sales

However, player sales are expected.

Higuain could leave, with Chelsea supposedly interested in the striker, while Daniele Rugani is also supposedly on the Blues’ radar.

Paulo Dybala could be sold, with Liverpool linked to the Argentine.

Ronaldo’s arrival shatters the Italian transfer record set two years ago when Higuain joined from the Old Lady from Napoli in a £75m deal.

Higuain has at times struggled to live up to his price tag in Turin, with Juve’s sole aim to win the Champions League.

Why is Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid?

Ronaldo will arrive in Italy having claimed five Champions League titles in his career.

His signing is part of a drive by club bosses at the Allianz Stadium to return the Serie A giants to the top of European football.

All has not been well with Ronaldo in Spain for some time.

The 33-year-old was embroiled in a tax fraud case last year and that has rumbled on into this summer.

Ronaldo eventually accepted a £16.4m fine and two-year suspended jail sentence from the Spanish authorities.

He was furious Real Madrid declined to cover the financial costs of the allegations.

Ronaldo was also unhappy that his two main Ballon d’Or adversaries – Neymar and Lionel Messi – both earn more than him at PSG and Barcelona respectively.

Messi, when endorsements, wages and sponsorships are taken into account, picks up €2m a week at Barcelona.

Ronaldo’s £26.5m annual salary in Italy is a substantial figure and he will no doubt use the move to Serie A to expand his income portfolio.

He is already the face of a number of brands and charities and has supposedly agreed to endorse an Italian campaign to encourage blood donation.

Real Madrid options

As for Real, they are now due to reinvest the £105m earned from Ronaldo’s sale to rejuvenate Julen Lopetegui’s squad.

Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will require a new strike partner, with Marco Asensio not expected to cement his place in the forward three.

Eden Hazard, Harry Kane and Neymar have all been linked with the club.

Chelsea’s Hazard has been most vocal about a possible move to the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo statement

Ronaldo himself reflected on his time in Madrid, adding: “They have been absolutely wonderful for nine years. They have been nine unique years. It has been an exciting time for me, full of consideration but also hard because Real Madrid is of a very high demand, but I know very well that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique way.

“I have had fabulous teammates in the field and in the dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and together we have won three Champions in a row and four Champions in five years. And with them also, on an individual level, I have the satisfaction of having won four Gold Balls and three Gold Boots. All during my time in this immense and extraordinary club.

“Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thanks to the club, the President, the directors, my colleagues, all the technicians, doctors, physios and incredible workers that make everything work and that are pending every detail tirelessly.

“Thank you infinitely once more to our fans and thanks also to Spanish Football. During these nine exciting years I have had great players in front of me. My respect and my recognition for all of them.

“I have reflected a lot and I know that the time has come for a new cycle. I’m leaving but this shirt, this shield and the Santiago Bernabeu will continue to always feel as my own wherever I am.

“Thanks to all and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium nine years ago: Hala Madrid!”