Luciano Moggi Tried To Sign Cristiano Ronaldo For Juventus – Report

Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi was on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon, before the move was scuppered by Marcelo Salas, according to Tuttosport.

The Ronaldo to Real Madrid saga could have turned out so differently had the ace joined the Bianconeri.

According to the Turin-based paper, Moggi had reached a deal with Sporting Lisbon for Ronaldo back in 2003, when the player was still a teenager. Juve were on the verge of signing the player, but the deal hinged on Marcelo Salas, who was part of the transfer. Just as the deadline approached, Salas told Moggi he did not want to move to Portugal. That put the deal in jeopardy, and despite Moggi's best efforts to convince the Chilean to join Sporting, the hitman was not interested.

Just days later, Manchester United came in with the offer that Sporting wanted and the future World Player of the Year joined the Old Trafford side.

Ronaldo is now on the verge of completing his move to Real Madrid in a whopping €94 million deal. Reports suggest the Spanish giants are hopeful of concluding the business within the next few days.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com