Joan Laporta Talks Cristiano Ronaldo Exit Rumours, Neymar, El Clasico and More

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said he believes Cristiano Ronaldo is at the "right age" to take the next step in his career and that the Premier League looks like a potential destination for the Real Madrid superstar.   

Manu Sainz of AS quoted Laporta, who ruled at the Camp Nou for seven years, saying the market is ready for a huge transfer and that Ronaldo is in prime position to grab an improved contract elsewhere:

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I’m not surprised about all this with Cristiano. He’s a player in the time in his career when he has to start asking himself these questions. The market is up, it’s a good moment to make a move with all the money in the Premier League, that might encourage a few clubs. He’s been at Real Madrid for years and perhaps he’ll find another path. Players look for better contracts, the market is there for a move and Cristiano is at the right age for it.

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Laporta has a close alliance with CR7's agent, Jorge Mendes, according to Sainz, and his comments will alert clubs in England. 

According to a report from French outlet Le10 Sport that's cited in AS (via Football Espana), Madrid are lining up Manchester City's Sergio Aguero if Ronaldo opts to leave the Bernabeu.

Manchester United is a possible destination for the Portugal international. As the player admitted on a recent episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, he still has allegiances to the Red Devils, as reported by ESPN FC: 

"I'm a huge supporter of Manchester United -- as I say many times, I'm very comfortable in Real Madrid now, I feel happy. But as people know I like Manchester United, I love that club, but [the] future, nobody knows. But right now I feel good and I feel happy in Real Madrid."

The former president claimed Mendes offered the services of Ronaldo while he was at the Camp Nou, but he did not confirm why he did not take his friend up on the deal.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Laporta also added Barca wizard Neymar is now level with Ronaldo in terms of his class, lavishing praise on the Brazilian, per Sainz: “Yes, of course [Neymar is at Ronaldo's level]. Neymar is very, very good, and he’s only going to get better."

The former supremo also said the Blaugrana will defeat Los Blancos in the upcoming El Clasico fixture, according to Sainz: "I think Barca will win, we have the better team. We always play well there, it’ll be a great game and we’ll win. Barca come into the game in better shape, our forwards are in a state of grace and if Leo comes back on top of that then we’re looking good."

Barcelona face Madrid on Saturday in the Spanish capital, with the hosts only three points behind the La Liga holders at the top of the division. 

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A win would see coach Rafael Benitez's team leapfrog Barca in the standings based on head-to-head points.

The injury of Lionel Messi has not halted Barca's climb to the summit of the league, as Neymar and Luis Suarez have maintained the goal threat from the Catalan club.

However, Ronaldo is in good form, scoring eight goals in 11 La Liga games, per WhoScored.com, and Madrid will be looking toward their icon for a big goalscoring performance at the weekend.