The Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United transfer saga has taken a juicy turn.
According to ESPN, "Cristiano Ronaldo will meet Manchester United officials 'in the next few days' to talk about a potential return to Old Trafford."
The original report came from Spanish newspaper El Pais which claimed that the two sides had agreed to remain quiet to comply with FIFA's rules that make it illegal for clubs to meet with contracted players. The publication also writes that Manchester United may look to pay a transfer fee of 50 million euros for the Portuguese superstar and then pay him a salary of his choosing. The report does however note that Ronaldo has his reservations about whether a contract could be reached this summer as he has never met new manager David Moyes and knows little about his intentions.
El Pais also revealed that there were no negotiations between Real Madrid and Ronaldo's camp, meaning that the certainty of a new contract between the two sides is as questionable as ever; according to the publication Madrid made a phone call to Ronaldo and offered him an extension until 2018 for 14 million euros per year. However, the superstar never responded to the offer.
These new talks between Ronaldo and United are likely going to put a dent in Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's plans. The president has repeatedly stated that he will not sell his top player and that he wants Ronaldo to retire in Madrid.
"My opinion is that Cristiano will retire at Real Madrid, that is his dream, and the club's too. Some people think that negotiations are done in the newspapers," said Perez in a recent interview. "I will do everything in my power to renew the contract. He has two years left on his contract, he is the best in the world and we would like to give a boost to the team with him as a leader and an emblem," said Perez. "I would not sell him for 1,000 million euros (1 billion Euros). We are not a selling club."
"I would bet Cristiano will retire at Real Madrid because it's the natural thing," he added. "We will negotiate the new contract before the start of La Liga and I am convinced that everything will come out well."
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