Ron calls on club to pay taxes
sources in Spain claim the star made up his mind to quit two months ago and the tax row has simply accelerated his efforts to leave.
Ronaldo is said to be furious at the allegations and Spanish insiders claim payment for image rights was negotiated with Madrid officials – who sanctioned them as aboveboard.
The Spanish giants will not stand in the player’s way but have vowed not to let him leave on the cheap – meaning transfer fees above £175million.
Ronaldo had a buy-out clause of a staggering £875m inserted in his contract back in 2012 – but that would be unenforceable now Ronaldo is 32.
But even £175m – plus wages of around £400,000-a-week – is astronomical money that will rule out even the world’s wealthiest clubs, including Manchester United, his spiritual home.
Old Trafford sources claim any interest in Ronaldo would centre on whether Jose Mourinho would want his former player as he rebuilds.
The duo both have huge egos – and that caused tensions when Mourinho managed the Portugal star between 2010 and 2013 at The Bernabeu.