KEY POINTS

  • Ronaldo is contracted with Juventus until 2022
  • He has been linked with Man Utd, PSG, and now Barcelona
  • Messi and Ronaldo have dominated soccer for over a decade now

FC Barcelona chief Joan Laporta is reportedly planning to sign Cristiano Ronaldo to make the dream partnering of Lionel Messi and the Juventus star come true.

Barcelona are willing to offer two players to Juventus in order to land Ronaldo at Camp Nou this summer, reported Spanish publication Diario AS. The players that could be used in the swap deal are expected to be two of Antoine Griezmann, Philippe Coutinho or Sergi Roberto.

Ronaldo, who is yet to be contacted by Barcelona over a dream return to Spain, has only a year left on his current Juventus contract. He has been linked with a move away from the Allianz side ahead of the 2021-22 season. He has been linked with various other top clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United. It is understood that Juventus are willing to do a swap deal with the Red Devils that would see Paul Pogba returning to Italy.

Messi’s current deal with Barcelona is due to expire at the end of the month and the club captain has not signed an extension yet. Even though Barcelona failed to win the La Liga and Champions League last season, apart from the Catalans’ well-known financial issues, Messi is expected to stay as Barcelona are close to tying him in a new deal, the Diario AS report has further claimed.

The salary of Ronaldo could be an issue for Barcelona as the 36-year-old forward currently earns more than any other player in the Italian league, according to Sports Bibble. However, Barcelona could make space for Ronaldo’s wage after selling two of their players to Juventus.

Ronaldo is currently leading Portugal in Euros 2020 and has netted three goals in two games.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 107th goal for Portugal but could not prevent the holders sliding to a 4-2 defeat in Munich
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 107th goal for Portugal but could not prevent the holders sliding to a 4-2 defeat in Munich POOL / CHRISTOF STACHE

Laporta, who has returned to the helm at Barcelona for the second time in his career as an administrator, has been concentrating on free transfers in the ongoing summer market. They have signed two Manchester City players as free agents – Eric Garica and Sergio Aguero, apart from Lyon forward Memphis Depay.

Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman was also keen on signing his countryman Gini Wijnaldum from Liverpool but the Dutch midfielder left the Anfield side on a free transfer to join PSG.

RELATED STORIES
Lionel Messi