Juventus are on the verge of pulling off one of the most stunning transfers in history by prising Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has said that Ronaldo is set for 'a new chapter and a new challenge in his brilliant career,' although he admitted that the deal is not yet completed.
Mendes met with Real Madrid on Wednesday for talks on Ronaldo's future – and probably to negotiate his shock exit.
Speaking to Portuguese media, Mendes came as close as possible to confirming the 33-year-old superstar is on his way out of the Bernabeu after nine years of incredible success.
'If it happens, it will be a new chapter and a new challenge in his brilliant career,' Mendes said to Record. 'If Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Real Madrid, he will remain eternally grateful to the club, the president, all the staff without exception, as well as the Madrid fans throughout the world.'
Newspapers in both Spain and Italy are all in agreement that Ronaldo is on his way out of Madrid, with Italian daily Tuttosport calling it 'the coup of the century'.
AS in Spain reports that the Italian champions are even confident of presenting Ronaldo to their fans on Saturday at an unveiling inside their Juventus Stadium. There is, however, one potential stumbling block.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Ronaldo deal is close but that Real president Florentino Perez is demanding extra money for the 33-year-old forward at the last minute.
Juve had struck a 'gentleman's agreement' with Real to sign Ronaldo for €100million (£88m), reports Gazzetta - but Perez is now claiming that deal expired on June 15, and is now asking for a fee of €130m (£115m).
Gazzetta adds, however, that this is likely to be posturing by Perez because Ronaldo has made up his mind to leave Madrid.
Ronaldo hinted after the Champions League final in May that he could be leaving Real, despite conquering Europe for the third successive season and winning his fourth European Cup in total with Madrid.
He said he would discuss his club future while with Portugal at the World Cup, but never did. Portugal were eliminated by Uruguay in the round of 16.
-Dailymail