Transfer Centre

Guillem Balague: 'Real Madrid willing to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 16 January 2018

Balague: 'Real willing to let Ronaldo go'

Real Madrid are happy to let Cristiano Ronaldo depart the Bernabeu but there are doubts over Manchester United's interest in the player, according to Guillem Balague.

Real Madrid are happy to let Cristiano Ronaldo call time on his Bernabeu career, according to Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague.

The 32-year-old is reportedly unhappy that promises over a new contract have not been kept and is believed to be considering a departure from the La Liga club.

Ronaldo has been routinely linked with a move back to Manchester United over several years, but Balague believes that the Red Devils are in a delicate spot in terms of both interest and cost of the player.

"Ronaldo's message is he wants to leave, and it appears Real Madrid will be willing to let him go," Balague told Sky Sports News.

"However, Real would love to see a fight between PSG and Man Utd, but the situation is more complicated than simply being interested in the player.

"To add to a net annual salary demand of around £44m, Real would also demand around £89m for Ronaldo, which is an almighty expense for a player who would arrive aged 33.

"Here's United's conundrum: the club cannot show a lack of interest if it is confirmed that Ronaldo is on the market. But the huge amount of money his transfer would demand cannot be justified."

Ronaldo has scored just four times for Real in La Liga this season, but has netted 422 goals in 418 appearances since arriving from Man United in 2009.