Former Manchester United ‘golden boy’ Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to meet with club officials this week – further fuelling speculation that he is set for a shock return to Old Trafford.
Reports in Spanish paper El Pais suggest that he is to meet with United officials in the next few days to begin the complicated process of returning to the Premier League.
David Moyes, who starts as Manchester United boss next week, will want the matter decided urgently to minimise any impact on pre-season preparations.
Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford for Real Madrid for £80million in 2009, is thought to favour a move back to England.
It is believed that those close to the 28-year-old are urging him to wait 18 months until his current contract expires before making his last big move in football – an approach United may favour.
What they save on not having to pay Madrid for his transfer now they could plough into a huge signing-on fee and £16.9million-a-year take-home pay across four years with 100% of his image rights – currently shared 60-40 in his favour with Real Madrid.
Ronaldo currently takes home £8.4million basic pay topped up by a further £6.3million in bonuses. He also earns around £13.5million in commercial deals.
Madrid are willing to boost his annual basic take-home pay to £12.7million and negotiate his image rights but they no doubt fear the very real possibility of losing him for nothing.
The Portuguese forward made 196 appearances for United scoring 86 goals in his six year spell at the club.
Image courtesy of Addesolen, with thanks.
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