Immediately after the huge news emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid, Manchester United have been touted as a potential destination.
The Red Devils are continually linked with the player they signed for a dirt-cheap £12.75 million from Sporting CP in 2003, and sold on for a then world-record £80 million after spending six glittering years at United,where Ronaldo lifted three Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup, two League Cups and a FIFA World Club Cup.
Here's Ronaldo talking about Sir Alex Ferguson:
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Credit: BT Sport
Since moving to the Bernabeu, he has won two La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues, two Copa Del Reys and two Club World Cups, as well as tasting personal success with a further three Ballon d'Or wins and several goalscoring records - including becoming Real's highest ever scorer.
Image: PA
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But Ronaldo wants out this summer, and it all stems from the ongoing lawsuit from Spanish prosecutors, who claim Ronaldo defrauded the authorities of €14.7 million in a three-year period between 2011 and 2014 in relation to his image rights.
As a result of the allegations, which the Portuguese forward strongly denies, it's said that Ronaldo wants to leave Spain altogether despite signing a new and improved five-year contract back in November, and his decision is "irreversible".
Several outlets have already put United, believed to be Ronaldo's preference, at the front of the queue.
Any deal would no doubt have to be a world record free, the second United would pay in consecutive summers after bringing Paul Pogba back to the club for £89 million.
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And there's two different reports on what United are willing to offer Real Madrid for Ronaldo's services.
Italian outlet Tuttosport say that United are prepared to offer a staggering £183 million, plus David De Gea, a long-time target for Real Madrid, to not only land Ronaldo but also his teammate Alvaro Morata, who is high on Jose Mourinho's wishlist.
The Mirror's Darren Lewis runs a near-identical story, though reporting that United are readying a £175 million offer, with De Gea again used as a sweetener, in order to end Ronaldo's eight-year association with Real Madrid.
Image: PA
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Do you think Ronaldo will indeed leave Real Madrid for United or will it all just be swept under the carpet?
Sound off in the comments section below.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
