Juventus completing a deal for Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will be “like winning the lottery” for the Bianconeri and Serie A, says Christian Vieri.
A big-money move for the Portugal international has been mooted for some time, with various landing spots discussed for a five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Juve were rarely considered to be part of that conversation, but the Italian champions have surged to the front of the transfer queue.
Goal has revealed that Ronaldo has a deal waiting for him in Turin, with the 33-year-old having pushed for a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
With his arrival in Italy now seemingly imminent, Vieri admits his presence will offer a timely boost to the profile of a division which has faded behind continental rivals in recent years.
The former Juve striker told beIN Sports on the proposed €100 million (£88m/$117,) Ronaldo deal: “For Italian football it would be like winning the lottery.
“People don't talk about Serie A much abroad, because there aren’t the superstars there were in the past. Ronaldo would revitalise it.
“Even I would be more motivated to watch the league, every Sunday the world would be wondering what Juventus did and how many goals Cristiano scored.”
He has remained evasive on the subject of his future since then, but appears to have decided that the time is right for a fresh start.
Having already collected domestic and continental titles in England and Spain with Manchester United and Real Madrid, his sights are now being set on trophies in Italy.
If he is to link up with Juve, then that deal is likely to set in motion a ripple through the summer window which leads to several other big-money signings.
Madrid will be leading that move into the marketplace, with the Blancos having been heavily linked with Paris Saint-Germain duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe as possible additions to their attacking ranks.
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