Napoli President De Laurentiis Says 'Ronaldo Was Also Offered To Napoli'
Reports that Cristiano Ronaldo considered a move to Napoli have been given weight by the Partenopei's president, but he says that ultimately the former Real Madrid star was too pricey.
Cristiano Ronaldo was offered to Napoli and could have joined if not for the risk of bankrupting the club, according to chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis.
However, amid reports in the Italian media that Ronaldo's preferred destination was Naples, the outspoken De Laurentiis confirmed Madrid's all-time top scorer was ready to open negotiations.
"Ronaldo was also offered to Napoli," De Laurentiis told La Repubblica.
"[Jorge] Mendes, his agent, called me. We formulated our offer and would have paid Ronaldo with the percentage of the income guaranteed by his arrival.
"[But] the €350million that Juventus invested [including wages] is beyond our reach. We would have risked pushing the club towards bankruptcy."
Ronaldo, who scored four times at the World Cup in Russia, instead inked a four-year contract with the club he helped vanquish in last season's Champions League quarter-finals.
Juve have also added the attacker's compatriot Joao Cancelo, goalkeeper Mattia Perin and midfielder Emre Can to their ranks.
De Laurentiis, meanwhile, has been involved in an eventful off-season at Napoli, appointing Carlo Ancelotti as head coach following a protracted contract wrangle with predecessor Maurizio Sarri.
