Juventus director of football Federico Cherubini has suggested that Manchester City missed out on a summer deal for Cristiano Ronaldo as they were not prepared to pay a transfer fee for the attacker.
Man City were thought to be on the verge of securing a move for the 36-year-old before Manchester United swooped to re-sign him in the final stages of the summer transfer window.
Cherubini has said that 'there were not the right conditions' for Ronaldo to arrive at the Etihad Stadium, and the Juventus director aimed a dig at the Citizens, who were seemingly not prepared to pay a fee for the Portuguese.
"There weren't the right conditions to do so [sell Ronaldo to City]," Cherubini told Tuttosport. "Manchester United behaved differently, as a club with tradition. There couldn't be a different end, given the way Ronaldo had spoken to us.
"We couldn't force a player to stay in a context that he didn't recognise anymore. We respect Ronaldo, but I share the same view as our president: 'Juventus' history is made by great champions, coaches and directors, but the club remains the most important thing.
"I must say that sometimes in the past, we had to pay to part ways with some players. In this case, with other clubs [City], we wouldn't be able to get anything at all."
Man United allegedly agreed a fee of €15m (£12.9m) guaranteed with a maximum of €8m (£6.8m) in add-ons for the highest international goalscorer of all time, who is in line to make his second debut for the club in Saturday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
Matt Law
