RONNIE UP FOR GRABS
United’s sights on old boy
MANCHESTER United are on red alert after it emerged Cristiano Ronaldo wants to quit Real Madrid.
Sources close to Ronaldo claim the Portuguese super- star is willing to turn his back on Spanish football after being accused of tax fraud.
Spanish authorities say the 32-year-old striker defrauded them of £13m in tax from 2011 to 2014. Ronaldo is said to be furious that his reputation is being dragged through the mud and aims to find a new club in either Europe or China.
This could give United the green light to make a
bid to lure him back to Old Trafford. Ronaldo was a hero at United before joining Real for £80m in 2009.
Earlier this month it emerged United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had given up on ever re-signing the Portuguese.
But he was unaware of the superstar’s tax problems or the fact he would consider leaving Real.
Ronaldo, who shares the same super-agent as Jose Mourinho in Jorge Mendes, signed a new five-year deal with the Spanish giants in November that included a release clause of £875m.
United would not be willing to meet this, but would hope a deal could be struck if Ronaldo negotiates a way out with Bernabeu bosses.
A source close to the player said: “He feels he’s honest, has good character and did everything OK.
“He’s very sad and really upset. He doesn’t want to stay in Spain. At this moment, he wants to leave.”
It remains to be seen if Ronaldo does quit the European champions, who have released a statement backing their star man.
If he does it would spark the biggest transfer scramble ever, with Paris StGermain and a host of Chinese and American clubs keen to sign him.
Ronaldo has helped Real win the Champions League three times and La Liga twice. He is their all-time leading scorer with 404 goals in 393 games.