Real Madrid Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Conspiracy, New Gareth Bale Rumours

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has claimed underhand tactics are driving rumours about Cristiano Ronaldo’s possible departure from the club, insisting there are plenty happy to see pressure heaped upon him.

Los Blancos have been under major scrutiny in the days following Saturday’s 4-0 loss to bitter rivals Barcelona, with Perez calling a press conference on Monday to back manager Rafael Benitez, per Sid Lowe of the Guardian. Perez has also sought to pour water over festering speculation that Ronaldo, who has cut a frustrated figure as of late, could be on his way out, per Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star:

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Those who say I want to sell Cristiano do so in an attempt to destabilise [my position]. It annoys me that journalists said I have been attending any lunch meetings to discuss Ronaldo's sale.

I have never dined with Paris Saint-Germain's president or [Ronaldo's agent] Jorge Mendes to sell Ronaldo. Those who think I would meet with the president of PSG on the same day as a crucial match to talk about selling Ronaldo are naive.

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As Perez alluded to, there have been links to Paris Saint-Germain, while Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal also recently hinted that the Red Devils may seek a reunion with their former No. 7, per BBC Sport. However, it seems as though Real remain steadfast in their willingness to keep hold of their talisman.

Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones thinks there is a good chance of Real cashing in on their prized asset:

If Real were to be in receipt of a money-spinning offer from either United or PSG, then it’s something they’d have to give serious consideration to. While Ronaldo still has it in him to score goals at the highest level for a few more years yet, he’s beyond his peak and the money recouped, could aid Los Blancos in bringing in a younger player to fill the void he’d leave.

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At the moment, Real are not getting the best out of their talisman anyway. As we can see here courtesy of the Lowe, the tactics deployed by Madrid against Barca were baffling:

For Perez, letting Ronaldo go would be a big risk. From a financial standpoint, it’d make a great deal of sense to cash in now while his value remains high. However, should the club fail in what’d be a difficult mission to replace the Portuguese and the team subsequently suffered, then fingers would be pointed in the direction of the president.

Gareth Bale Agent Reportedly Wanted Transfer

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According to Javier Matallanas of AS (h/t Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star), the agent of Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, Jonathan Barnett, was keen for his client to join Manchester United last summer so he could pocket a personal windfall.

“Barnett was very concerned that the transfer [should] be fruitful, because United guaranteed him a fee of £14 million, according to a source familiar with the negotiations,” Matallanas wrote for AS in his column.

After a disappointing 2014-15, there were strong links between Bale and the Old Trafford club, with Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC writing United made a major effort to sign the Welshman late on in the transfer window. So far, after staying at Madrid, this campaign has been a frustrating one for the forward, as he has struggled with injuries and for consistency.

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As noted by Tom Williams of AFP, there are some media outlets beginning to question exactly what Bale brings to this Real Madrid team:

The Clasico was a bad day for the entirety of this Los Blancos side, including Bale. But there were some signs very early in the season that the Welshman could be a big success under Benitez playing off the centre-forward. Given time, that’s a dynamic that could potentially flourish once again.

Links will continue to persist between the Welshman and Manchester United, given the Red Devils hold a longstanding reputation for chasing the most exciting British players. However, at this juncture, it seems as though other key figures in the side will make way before Los Blancos even consider moving on their most expensive acquisition ever.