Real Madrid Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Fears Destroy Marco Verratti Hopes

Real Madrid have ended their interest in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti because the French champions threatened to launch a counter-bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Tomas Roncero of AS.

Roncero said an "independent agent who has a good relationship with Madrid did make an unofficial inquiry" for the combative Italian despite an official statement from the Spanish club suggesting no approach has been made.

Soccerlens tweeted AS' headline:

PSG continue to be plowed with cash from Qatar Sports Investments. Additional money has yielded three consecutive Ligue 1 titles and key players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva.

In May, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told Football Focus (h/t BBC Sport) that the acquisition of Ronaldo or Barcelona's Lionel Messi was a genuine prospect: "It is realistic; everything is possible here in our club. Every year, our ambition is to win the Champions League. We are almost there. We are already in the top eight for the last three years, which is a good sign."

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Even so, PSG received a fine and a squad cap when they failed to adhere to UEFA's financial fair play rules last summer. 

Al-Khelaifi believes these guidelines—which task clubs with breaking even—should be eased to let powerhouses spend cash to keep themselves competitive with the increasing financial might of the Premier League, per BBC Sport:

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We've been telling our friends in UEFA that (the current FFP rules) really are not fair, especially now with the TV rights in the Premier League. FFP will be there, so it's going to be difficult not only for us but for the Germans and the Spanish. In four years, if they don't change it, you'll find four Premier League clubs in the Champions League semi-finals.

"

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UEFA President Michel Platini recently suggested the regulations could be "eased," French station RTL reported (h/t Matt Slater of BBC Sport). Although this would allow Madrid to spend greater cash without fear of punishment, it would also open Ronaldo up to ridiculous bids from abroad.

PSG previously deflected Barca's reported interest in Silva by suggesting they could launch an attempt to sign Messi. Threatening to sign one of the world's two best players and offering the cash to do it are two different things, though. For all of PSG's bark, last year's FFP punishment signals their bite is currently limited.

Verratti would be an excellent signing for Madrid. The 22-year-old could fulfil the hard-tackling, tempo-dictating role Benitez loves to employ in the centre of his teams. His hot-headed style often boils over—Verratti received 15 cautions across Ligue 1 and the Champions League during the 2014-15 campaign, per WhoScored.com—but he'd ensure balance in the middle of the park.

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Previous boss Carlo Ancelotti wasn't able to achieve this, often squeezing in the attack-minded Isco and James Rodriguez alongside Toni Kroos. Benitez is a more pragmatic worker who is likely to place stability over swashbuckling attack at the Bernabeu.

AS (h/t Adam Shergold of the Daily Mail) noted Ronaldo will be pushed into a central role under the Spanish boss. He scored 48 La Liga goals during the recent campaign and isn't a player who can be replaced.

Benitez would be foolish to cash in on Madrid's main stars during his first season in charge. Although he needs to place his authority over the team with signings such as Verratti, the foundations of what Madrid have built must remain the same.

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PSG have huffed and puffed around the signings of Ronaldo and Messi for some time. Until they launch an official bid, though, many will wonder what the French club can afford now that UEFA's FFP restrictions are in full swing.