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Are you for Real? United and Madrid 'put pen to paper' on £70m Ronaldo transfer
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:16 PM on 12th May 2009
A respected Spanish newspaper claims Manchester United and Real Madrid have already signed contracts on a world-record deal to take Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu this summer.
Come and get me: Cristiano Ronaldo
It is claimed that the clubs have agreed a £71.5million fee for the 24-year-old, which is subject to secrecy clauses and Madrid's new president taking up the option.
Former president Ramon Calderon has long hinted that there was an agreement in principle and Sportsmail understands that Madrid officials have been confident for some time that they would finally land their man at the end of the season.
Sportsmail revealed last month that the LalLiga giants believed they had a deal in place and El Pais' reports have further supported that claim.
But now Spanish national newspaper El Pais claims to reveal details of actual contracts and clauses that have been pored over by the clubs and Ronaldo himself.
The total value of the deal would be in excess of 100m euros (£89m) when taking into account a big cut for Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes. The former Sporting Lisbon player could expect to pick up £12.5m a year - a whopping £240,000 a week.
Ronderful: The Manchester United star gets the better of City defender Micah Richards
The alleged contract states that United would have to accept a bid of £71.5m after July 1, provided that neither side divulges details before May 31. Whether apparent press leaks such as this scupper the deal remain to be seen.
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The new Madrid president would have to accept the deal, too, and this is where El Pais sees a stumbling block to the agreement.
Florentino Perez, the man who ushered in the era of the Galacticos earlier in the decade, is expected to win elections on June 14 and return to the post he walked away from just over three years ago.
He is understood to be keen on Ronaldo but, despite sensational claims to the contrary, it is unlikely he could sanction a deal for both the United star and AC Milan playmaker Kaka.
Kaka is seen as a cheaper option who would free up cash for other targets, leaving Perez with a dilemma.
United have consistently said there is no secret deal in place and insist Ronaldo will go nowhere. The player has even brushed off reports in recent weeks.
Preferred option: Real Madrid presidential hopeful Florentino Perez may instead go for Kaka
But El Pais repeat claims that he only agreed to stay at Old Trafford last summer on the understanding that it would be his last season in England.
United's No 7 has already taken a patent on 'CR9', leading to speculation he will wear a new number at the Bernabeu.
Madrid legend Raul wears Ronaldo's current number, while it is suggested that Madrid officials want him to restore pride to the No 9 shirt currently worn by outcast Javier Saviola.
Just as Ronaldo followed in the footsteps of George Best, Bryan Robson and David Beckham, at Madrid he would be asked to emulate Alfredo di Stefano and Hugo Sanchez.
El Pais is not one of Spain's hyperbolic sports papers and their stories often carry gravitas.
Reports in Portuguese paper Record appear to support the claims by saying that Ronaldo has already accepted a deal. Record suggests Portugal defender Pepe could be part of a part-exchange agreement.
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:16 PM on 12th May 2009
A respected Spanish newspaper claims Manchester United and Real Madrid have already signed contracts on a world-record deal to take Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu this summer.
Come and get me: Cristiano RonaldoIt is claimed that the clubs have agreed a £71.5million fee for the 24-year-old, which is subject to secrecy clauses and Madrid's new president taking up the option.
Former president Ramon Calderon has long hinted that there was an agreement in principle and Sportsmail understands that Madrid officials have been confident for some time that they would finally land their man at the end of the season.
Sportsmail revealed last month that the LalLiga giants believed they had a deal in place and El Pais' reports have further supported that claim.
But now Spanish national newspaper El Pais claims to reveal details of actual contracts and clauses that have been pored over by the clubs and Ronaldo himself.
The total value of the deal would be in excess of 100m euros (£89m) when taking into account a big cut for Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes. The former Sporting Lisbon player could expect to pick up £12.5m a year - a whopping £240,000 a week.
Ronderful: The Manchester United star gets the better of City defender Micah RichardsThe alleged contract states that United would have to accept a bid of £71.5m after July 1, provided that neither side divulges details before May 31. Whether apparent press leaks such as this scupper the deal remain to be seen.
More...
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The new Madrid president would have to accept the deal, too, and this is where El Pais sees a stumbling block to the agreement.
Florentino Perez, the man who ushered in the era of the Galacticos earlier in the decade, is expected to win elections on June 14 and return to the post he walked away from just over three years ago.
He is understood to be keen on Ronaldo but, despite sensational claims to the contrary, it is unlikely he could sanction a deal for both the United star and AC Milan playmaker Kaka.
Kaka is seen as a cheaper option who would free up cash for other targets, leaving Perez with a dilemma.
United have consistently said there is no secret deal in place and insist Ronaldo will go nowhere. The player has even brushed off reports in recent weeks.
Preferred option: Real Madrid presidential hopeful Florentino Perez may instead go for KakaBut El Pais repeat claims that he only agreed to stay at Old Trafford last summer on the understanding that it would be his last season in England.
United's No 7 has already taken a patent on 'CR9', leading to speculation he will wear a new number at the Bernabeu.
Madrid legend Raul wears Ronaldo's current number, while it is suggested that Madrid officials want him to restore pride to the No 9 shirt currently worn by outcast Javier Saviola.
Just as Ronaldo followed in the footsteps of George Best, Bryan Robson and David Beckham, at Madrid he would be asked to emulate Alfredo di Stefano and Hugo Sanchez.
El Pais is not one of Spain's hyperbolic sports papers and their stories often carry gravitas.
Reports in Portuguese paper Record appear to support the claims by saying that Ronaldo has already accepted a deal. Record suggests Portugal defender Pepe could be part of a part-exchange agreement.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
Incredible sulk: Real Madrid-target Ronaldo displays his disbelief after being substituted during the comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday
Falling on deaf ears: Carlos Tevez and the Old Trafford crowd plea for the club to sign the on loan Argentine striker on a permanent basis
Wing man: Wigan star Antonio Valencia is thought to be Ronaldo's likely successor should the Portuguese winger leave Old Trafford
Out of Old Trafford? Tevez
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