Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici claims the club is not in a rush to open talks over a possible contract renewal with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo signed a four-year deal worth £100 million in 2018 with the Turin giants having inspired Real Madrid to their third successive champions league triumph.
The five-time Ballon d’OR winner helped Juve to back-to-back league titles in his first two seasons. But, the Turin club insist a potential contract extension is ‘not on the agenda’ with a year left in the Portuguese’s deal.
The 36-year-old’s wages take up a huge chunk of Juve’s annual outgoings and, after posting losses of €113.7m (£98m/$135m) in the first six months of the 2020-21 campaign, they may be forced to listen to offers for a prized asset amid the continued loss of matchday revenue caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Addressing the speculation over Ronaldo’s future in the wake of Juventus Champions League exit on Tuesday, Paratici told Sky Italia: “Fortunately, there’s a year left on his contract; we have time eventually to discuss it with him.
“Let’s just say it’s not on the agenda right now.”
Paratici added: “Cristiano has his career in his hands. Always with these great players you know that when they decide to end their experience with one team and move on to another experience, it’s they who decide, and you have to respect that decision.
“We have to consider how he will feel in order to continue or not once his contract expires.”
Ronaldo has been unable to inspire Juve to European glory since his arrival in Turin, but has still managed to score 14 goals in 23 Champions League games.
He has also hit 84 goals in 98 domestic outings, including 78 in Serie A – winning four major trophies in total while also recording 22 assists.
