Ronaldo to stay at Real as reports say £161m striker Mbappe is joining

Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing for Real Madrid next season and reports in Spain say Kylian Mbappe could be alongside him.

The four-time Ballon D’or winner, pictured, was reportedly unhappy in the Spanish capital and rumours of a move, particularly back to Manchester United, began to circulate. After captaining Portugal in the Confederations Cup and now coming to the end of a tour in Asia, the 32-year-old has spoken about his future.

He told Spanish newspaper Marca that he sees himself in Madrid with the aim of repeating last season’s title and Champions League success.

“Winning important trophies with my club last year was great, just like the individual trophies, and to do it again would be great,” he said.

“You have to work hard, year after year. I will continue to do it, football is my life, it is my passion.”

This came on the day Marca said Real had agreed a £161 million deal for the teenage Monaco striker Mbappe.

The newspaper reported yesterday morning that the La Liga and Champions League holders had struck a huge agreement for the 18-year-old that would shatter the current world-record transfer. The £89m paid by Manchester United for Paul Pogba last summer was the top mark, but should this deal go ahead, it will nearly double that. Mbappe’s breakthrough year with Monaco, which saw him score 26 goals in all competitions as his side won the Ligue 1 title, has led to him being linked with a host of clubs including Arsenal and Manchester City.

But Marca claims Real have won the race, especially given they have an extra £60m to play with following the sale of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea.

Counter reports, though, said that Monaco were unaware of a deal.