Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid Exit Predicted

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo could exit the Bernabeu in the summer of 2016, according to Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Manchester United will surely be among the clubs to attempt to lure their former star if this proves to be true. Ronaldo is rightly celebrated as a legend at Old Trafford and was linked to the club by Balague in September.

Speaking on a recent episode of Revista de la Liga, per Sky Sports, Balague believes CR7 could be fair game in 18 months:

"

[Real Madrid] gave him a new deal recently and the idea is to keep him for the summer. Now next summer is when I think we will start hearing a lot of stories about Ronaldo where not only Madrid, but Ronaldo, may think about leaving.

Now this is in a year and a half’s time when he will be 31, so an age when he can still do a lot for Madrid, but from that summer on we are just going to hear a lot of stories about clubs trying to convince him to move on. This summer he is certainly going to stay. Next summer is going to be fun.

"

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Ronaldo is back among the goals after a three-game run without hitting the net—acceptable by most players' standards—recently scoring in wins over Schalke and Elche. His tally stands at 36 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, per WhoScored.com, including 29 strikes in La Liga.

United fans will certainly lap up any suggestion Ronaldo could move on. While it was always going to be impossible to replace the player they let go in 2009, supporters will be disappointed by the lack of quality offered on the United wings since Ronaldo packed his bags.

Players such as Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have consistently failed to score and assist, while summer signing Angel Di Maria is proving frustrating to watch. Ronaldo's role sees him inject pace and power into play no matter where he picks the ball up—he is largely free to roam—attacking with devastating menace. United lack lethal pace, let alone goalscoring prowess from wide.

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Spanish journalist Alfredo Duro told television show El Chiringuito (h/t Ricky Charlesworth of the Daily Mirror) that Louis van Gaal "rejected the opportunity" to sign Ronaldo last summer.

It seems unlikely Madrid would want to sell Ronaldo while he is still notching goals. Interest in the player will far outlive his playing career, as the 30-year-old is one of the marketable stars in the sport's history. A sale before he drops out of form could aid Madrid's quest to replace the player by generating maximum funds, though.

Indeed, Revisa de la Liga pundit Terry Gibson believes cashing in could be a smart move with Los Blancos' long-term future in mind, according to Sky Sports. "There is a lot of money involved in a big transfer like that which he would command," Gibson said, "and then that money could be reinvested in new players."

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Ronaldo helped deliver the Champions League at United and can be considered one of the greatest successes of Sir Alex Ferguson's esteemed tenure. A transitional United side could use his influence, but it's likely Ronaldo would be welcomed back in any capacity even after his playing days are over.

Balague's comments suggest a wait-and-see scenario will ensue. Madrid are unlikely to sell one of their best players ever while he's still proving to be a regular match-winner, but a season down the line, Ronaldo could become an easier target for prospective suitors.