By Aderoju Israel
Former Juventus boss, Giovanni Cobolli Gigli, has advised the club to correct the “mistake” of signing Cristiano Ronaldo by selling him as soon as possible.
The Bianconeri paid a club record amount of £99million to bring in Ronaldo from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018.
The Portuguese talent, who joined Juve on a four-year contract, has scored 101 goals in his first three seasons, winning all domestic trophies.
But the start of the current campaign has not gone to plan, with Ronaldo said to be pushing for a move to Manchester City after he reportedly requested to be on the bench for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Udinese.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo remains the biggest attraction in Serie A and Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri’s squad would be significantly weaker without the 36-year-old.
Chairman Andrea Agnelli has previously justified the financial side of signing Ronaldo and handing him a contract worth €31million (£26.5m) per season.
However, his predecessor sees things very differently and insists Juve will never make back the money they have stumped up for Ronaldo.
Gigli, who was Juventus chairman between 2006 and 2009, criticized the Bianconeri’s transfer strategy as well as Ronaldo’s play style, saying the five-time Ballon D’Or winner “hampers Juventus‘ attack”.
“I’ve always been honest: signing Ronaldo was a mistake. It’s impossible to recoup the investment and it will remain that way,” he told SerieANews.
“He’s a great player, but I have to be honest – the sooner he leaves, the better for him and for Juventus.”
He continued, “I hope that Massimiliano Allegri knows how to continue using him like he did against Udinese. That is, with intelligence and when the game is in progress.
“Ronaldo hampers Juventus’ attack. Without him, they can do excellent things in collective terms.”
From recent indications, Gigli’s wish for Ronaldo to leave Turin may soon be granted, as the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is understood to be negotiating a transfer with City chiefs.
Pep Guardiola’s side will reportedly target Ronaldo if they fail to sign Tottenham’s Harry Kane in the final days of the Transfer windows.
