Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid Exit Rumours Grow

Cristiano Ronaldo is "ready to leave" Real Madrid after becoming "disillusioned" with life at the club, according to Spanish publication Sport.

This article intensifies reports of the player returning to Manchester United, a story that continues to do the rounds in the press, such as in the Daily Star (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro).

Sport's report suggests Carlo Ancelotti's sacking at Madrid has strained the relationship between Ronaldo and club president Florentino Perez.

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It is also indicated that Ronaldo "isn't convinced" by Rafa Benitez—who is expected to take over Los Blancos' managerial position—and has become upset by Perez's unwavering support of the misfiring Gareth Bale.

Louis van Gaal is looking to make vast improvements to his United squad during the summer—eyeing "two players for every position" reported by Ben Hibbs and Stewart Gardner of the club's website—and couldn't possibly aim higher than landing Ronaldo.  

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be eyeing a megadeal for the 30-year-old, per Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC:

Colin Harvey of the Daily Star cites Sport's article when suggesting Chelsea may be buoyed by Ronaldo's suggested unhappiness at the Bernabeu.

The player tweeted his support for Ancelotti before he was sacked:

Ronaldo scored 48 goals in La Liga to land the 2015 Golden Shoe award during the recently finished campaign, but aside from individual success, Madrid failed to add to their Super Cup and Club World Cup trophies.

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Ancelotti was unable to find a sustainable balance with his 4-3-3 formation—a strategy that forced attacking midfielders Isco and James Rodriguez into the centre—so the next manager's first task must be to use Madrid's best players in their natural positions.

John Cross of the Mirror believes Benitez has "promised" to build his team around Bale if he's installed as boss, something Perez is "impressed" by. Cross suggests this may involve Bale taking on "a more central role, off the main striker and also working with Cristiano Ronaldo."

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague recently told Revista de La Liga that Ronaldo's influence will change if Bale is moved from the flank: "To see Bale flourish, we need Ronaldo to step back a little bit." Bale also continues to be linked with United, per Bellshaw.

B/R UK's Thom Gibbs recently discussed who would be the better signing for United:

Ronaldo's goalscoring ability would improve any side in the world, so it's likely Benitez (or whoever takes over at Madrid) will want him to play a prominent role during his first season in charge at the Bernabeu. Granted, at 30 years old, Ronaldo will begin to slow down soon, but he remains irreplaceable for Madrid.

Van Gaal raided Madrid for the capture of Angel Di Maria last summer, but luring Ronaldo is far more unlikely. The player himself will need to play a key part in any transfer being pushed through, whether it's to United or elsewhere.

Red Devils supporters will continue to hope their hero will return one day. While United aren't the force they used to be, Ronaldo's reappearance could kick-start the first post-Sir Alex Ferguson era of success.