Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Manchester City reportedly seems to be edging ever closer to completion – with reports this morning suggesting that the Portugal star has said his final goodbyes to his Juventus team-mates as he returns to the Premier League following a 12-year hiatus.
Ronaldo, 36, has been subject to intense media speculation over a move to Manchester City over the past few days following transfer talks for Tottenham and England captain Harry Kane breaking down.
Tottenham chief Daniel Levy refused to budge on his £150million valuation of the talisman, with City’s final bid coming in at around £128m for the Premier League Golden Boot holder.
And this end in interest signalled a move for Ronaldo; although not without controversy, as the Juventus superstar formerly played for City’s arch-rivals, Manchester United.
Having played at Old Trafford from 2003 to 2009, Ronaldo won every trophy possible in his spell in Manchester; ranging from three Premier League trophies, a Champions League and a Ballon d’Or.
However, links to City have intensified in recent days, leaving United fans unhappy at a potential move.
And it appears that the move is edging ever closer to fruition, with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming that Ronaldo has said goodbye to his Juventus team-mates just 40 minutes after turning up for training.
The Italian claims that Ronaldo is ready to leave Juventus in the next few hours, as he waits for the word from agent Jorge Mendes that City have agreed a fee with Juventus chiefs for his signature.
A fee of £28m has been touted as the price Juventus want, but City do not want to pay that; instead offering Raheem Sterling to the Bianconeri.
However, Sterling has turned down a chance to move to Juventus, after developing massively under Pep Guardiola and becoming a vital cog in the Spaniard’s domestically dominant machine.
The Turin-based outfit wanted Gabriel Jesus in the swap deal instead, but City are reluctant to let the Brazilian go as they are short on striking numbers as it is.
City have been desperate for a striker following club legend Sergio Aguero’s departure from the club in the summer, as the Argentine left for cash-stricken Barcelona.
And, with a deal for Kane failing after dragging on across the entirety of the summer, the club have been left panicking to bring in reinforcements with just four days left in the window.
City face Arsenal on Saturday afternoon following a tepid start to proceedings in the Premier League.
They faced Tottenham on the opening day of the season, but thanks in no small part to some valiant defending and a wonderful Son Heung-min finish, Guardiola’s men left empty-handed after failing to create any noteworthy chances.
However, redemption came against Norwich the week after in a 5-0 rout, signalling their brilliant attacking output.
And, with Arsenal in freefall lately, Pep Guardiola’s men will look to continue last Saturday’s outing to plunge Mikel Arteta further into despair.