Perez believes Ronaldo can be persuaded to remain at Real
Madrid president says tax issue ‘will work out fine’ United play down talk of return to Old Trafford
Real Madrid president Fiorentino Pérez says Cristiano Ronaldo will resolve his differences with the Spanish taxman and remain in La Liga.
Pérez acknowledged Ronaldo is ‘vey angry’ due to the allegations of tax fraud in Spain, which has prompted those close to the player to claim he has decided to quit the world’s biggest club and would welcome a return to Manchester United.
Old Trafford has inevitably emerged as a likely destination should Ronaldo carry out his threat to leave Spain – although that possibility is being treated with caution at Old Trafford. United have no desire to be a pawn in Ronaldo’s political game and are watching developments with a degree of care, having been burned before in similar circumstances.
On Monday, Pérez gave an address to mark his re-election as the Bernabéu president for a further four years and initially avoided questions about the star player’s future. But in a later radio interview with Onda Cero he discussed Ronaldo’s sour mood and said he was adamant the 32-year-old will not be sold.
“He is a Madrid player and will continue to be,” said Pérez. “I haven’t talked to Cristiano but what I do know is that you’re not always treated well in this country. When Cristiano is back from the Confederations Cup, we will deal with the matter. All I know is that he is very angry. We were on the deadline for [presidential] nominations and I wanted to be respectful, but I am convinced we will talk and we will solve it. Cristiano has a contract and he is a Real Madrid player.
“I have always said I have great affection for Cristiano. He’s a good guy as a professional and as a person. This is very strange.
“I must defend him at all costs, both as a player and as a person. What I will say is that everyone must fulfil their tax obligations. I have no doubt that Cristiano will be able to defend himself. I am sure it will work out fine.”
United knew Real would seek to appease Ronaldo, even though his camp have briefed that he is unhappy and have told interested clubs, including Paris St-germain, that he wants to leave to find a “new challenge”. Any deal would be problematic. Ronaldo signed a new five-year contract at Real only last autumn and his buy-out clause is over €1 billion (£785 million).
United also recall how things played out four years ago, when Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and they believed that his successor, David Moyes, would be presented with Ronaldo as a marquee signing. The Portuguese instead ended up agreeing a new deal at Real. United felt let down. At the same time United will want to be involved in any discussion over Ronaldo’s future if the threat to force his way out is serious. It has been suggested a bid of £131million could prompt Real to sell.
In the meantime, United are pressing ahead with the transfer plans they already have in place.
That includes a bid for Real striker Álvaro Morata and continued negotiations over Ivan Perisic, the Inter Milan attacking midfielder. Both Real and Inter, however, are attempting to hold out for higher fees than those offered, but United do not want to overpay for either player.
Even so, they would like to conclude the bulk of their transfer business before they embark on their pre-season tour of the United States, which begins against LA Galaxy on July 15. United have already bought Swedish defender Victor Lindelof for £30.7 million.