Real Madrid Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Rumours Fuelled by Barcelona Player

An unnamed Barcelona player has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is seeking to leave Real Madrid next summer, as rumours continue to grow over a potential transfer.

Ronaldo cut an isolated figure at the weekend, as Barcelona hammered their bitter rivals 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), the anonymous Blaugrana man painted an unhappy picture of life behind the scenes at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is not good,” he says. “(Ronaldo) is not happy. He is not comfortable with the team or at the club and he wants to leave.”

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

As reported by Mark Rodden of ESPN FC, there have been strong rumours over a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain for Ronaldo. Manchester United have also been touted as possible suitors, with manager Louis van Gaal recently hinting the Red Devils may move for their former No. 7, per Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror.

Alex Shaw of ESPN FC noted how the Madridistas were targeting Ronaldo during their defeat to Barcelona, suggesting he should move elsewhere at the end of the season:

You could certainly see Ronaldo’s motivations for doing so. Earlier in the campaign, the Portugal international became Real’s all-time record goalscorer and has already won the league title, Champions League and Copa del Rey with Los Blancos.

A new challenge could potentially help him to rediscover his very best form again.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

At the moment, he’s a peripheral figure at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the tactics deployed by manager Rafael Benitez not allowing Ronaldo to have much of an impact in Real’s general play. 

As we can see here courtesy of BreatheSport, some embarrassing statistics have surfaced in the wake of the Clasico loss:

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Barcelona's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made more passes (54) yesterday than Ronaldo (44), Bale (41) and Benzema (26) pic.twitter.com/6cZ3QWrIZj

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) November 22, 2015"

For Real, it’d be a big gamble to sell Ronaldo. While he’s not the same enterprising winger he was when signing for the club back in 2009, the former United man is still razor sharp in front of goal. Ultimately, if Los Blancos start to play with a little more ingenuity through midfield and in advanced areas, Ronaldo will start scoring goals again.

However, he seems detached from the rest of the team at this juncture, and as Bleacher Report UK relayed, the forward has no issue making his feelings known:

Replacing Ronaldo would be a huge ask for Real, but if they were to be in receipt of a substantial offer for his services from either PSG or United, they’d have to consider it very seriously—especially if he is unsettled.

While he may continue to perform at the highest level for a few years yet, a fresh start for both parties could trigger some much-needed rejuvenation at the moment.

Ronaldo’s role at the Bernabeu has been inhibited as of late and a move to a team such as the two aforementioned would immediately make him a key figure again.

Given the shape he’s in, it’s clear the 30-year-old still has what it takes to remain one of the best players in the world for a few more seasons yet; some new surroundings and refreshed challenges would certainly aid in that process.