Jorge Mendes rubbishes rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo is set to join Sporting CP
By Ross Jackson
Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has ruled out the possibility of the Portuguese superstar making a return to Sporting CP this summer.
The Juventus forward's future has been the source of constant speculation over recent months, despite notching his 100th goal in just his 131st outing for the club in their recent win over Sassuolo.
The Old Lady's squad is in desperate need of reinforcements at the end of the season, though their current financial plight means a summer overhaul looks highly unlikely.
One of the reasons the club is being forced to tighten the purse strings is Ronaldo's eye-watering wages - €31m per year after tax - leading to rumours they could be looking to part ways with the 36-year-old.
Said speculation was further intensified recently when Ronaldo's mum told Sporting CP fans she would ensure he returned to his former club this summer, though super-agent Mendes has immediately quashed the suggestion, despite admitting the Juve man was delighted they'd managed to secure the Portuguese title this season.
"Cristiano is proud of the title won by Sporting, in fact, as he has publicly demonstrated," he told Portuguese media outlet Record. "But at the moment his career plans do not go through Portugal".
Despite ruling out the possibility of a return to Portugal, Mendes stopped short of insisting his client would not be leaving Juventus at all this summer.
A whole host of teams have been mentioned with regards to where Ronaldo could move to if he does depart the Allianz Stadium, with another former club in the shape of Manchester United regularly touted as a potential destination.
However, the Juve hierarchy have remained publicly steadfast in their desire to maintain the services of the Portugal captain, though it remains to be seen whether there's work going on behind the scenes to move him on.