Joan Laporta Says Barcelona Could Have Signed Cristiano Ronaldo for £14M

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said he was offered Cristiano Ronaldo before the Real Madrid superstar joined Manchester United but turned down the opportunity to sign the Portugal icon for just £14 million in 2003.

Anthony Chapman of the Sun reported the ex-Blaugrana supremo admitted he was informed of Ronaldo's availability by his agent, who offered him the player for £14 million. Sir Alex Ferguson's United paid £12.24 million for the attacking prodigy in August 2003.

Laporta said:

"

When we arrived, we signed Ronaldinho, Rafael Marquez and Ricardo Quaresma.

We were in a process of reconstruction. Cristiano was at Sporting CP and he was close to signing for United.

The player’s agent, who was handling Marquez and Quaresma, said 'I've got another really good player who’s called Cristiano Ronaldo'.

"

Here is Ronaldo in action:

Barca missed out on teaming up the two best players of their generation, as Lionel Messi and Ronaldo have gone on to break records as competitors rather than colleagues.

Ronaldo's record since arriving in Spain in 2009 has been sensational, averaging more than a goal every game for Los Blancos in all competitions.

The ruthless forward has 376 goals in 363 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish capital club, according to Chapman, and it is unthinkable what Barca could have won with both Messi and Ronaldo in their colours.