JUVENTUS are planning to spend big on the “next Cristiano Ronaldo” after freeing up £260million thanks, in part, to their new Jeep sponsorship.
The Italian champions shocked the football world last year when they completed a £99m deal to sign the Portuguese superstar from Real Madrid.
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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is widely regarded as football’s most-marketable stars – if not all of sport – and has already given the club a £51m revenue boost and brought in an extra 40million fans.
Paolo Aicardi, the chairman of the Juventus Shareholders Association, said that the 34-year-old’s signing represented the end of a cycle for the club.
As reported by AS, he said: “Ronaldo was the endpoint of a plan that started eight years ago when (Mirko) Vucinic was our star signing.
“From him to Cristiano there were various steps: (Carlos) Tevez, (Sami) Khedira…these signings show that Juventus are bringing in the biggest names in football.
“When Cristiano, the number one, arrived, it was made clear that now any player can choose Juventus ahead of Real Madrid, Manchester United or Barca.
“Today everything is possible, and the signing of (Matthijs) De Ligt is proof of that. Our next idea is to sign the new Cristiano Ronaldo, but a younger version.”
Our next idea is to sign the new Cristiano Ronaldo, but a younger version
Juventus Shareholders Association
Aicardi was speaking at the Bianconeri’s annual shareholders’ meeting for 2019, alongside Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli.
The latter also confirmed plans to raise £260m through an increase in share capital to help expand the Serie A’s global ambitions.
Ronaldo’s signing last year was central to that plan, with the Portugal captain said to have helped Juve renew their contract with primary shirt sponsor Jeep.
The car manufacturers have agreed on new terms that will see them more than DOUBLE the money from the £15m deal they agreed in 2012.
On Juventus’ official website, it states that an increase of £21m has been negotiated that will see the Old Lady rake in over £36m-a-year.
Their statement reads: “It is announced that, due to the excellent sport performances achieved in recent years by the first team which contributed to the club’s improved UEFA ranking, and due to the increased Juventus brand awareness at a worldwide level, Juventus Football Club S.p.A. and FCA Italy S.p.A. agreed to increase the yearly fixed Jeep sponsorship consideration by € 25m for 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 football seasons, including of certain additional sponsorship rights.
“The other provisions set out in the sponsorship agreement executed in April 2012 and in force until 30 June 2021 remain unchanged.”
The £72m two-year shirt sponsor deal will help in part to free up the £260m Juve are looking to set aside to sign the new Ronaldo.
Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Thursday that Kylian Mbappe could fit the bill while they have also been interested in his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Edinson Cavani.
But Ronaldo recently insisted that he has no plans to retire yet at 34 and “still feels sharp” following his historic 700th goal.
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