Real Madrid Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo PSG Promise Rumoured

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly "given his word" to Paris Saint-Germain that they'll be his next club should he leave the Santiago Bernabeu next summer.

That's according to the Sun's Antony Kastrinakis, who claimed PSG sources informed him of the verbal agreement but added that, in an ideal world, "Ronaldo wants to carry on at the Bernabeu."

Kastrinakis quoted his source, who said:

"

Cristiano has told those closest to him that he wants to stay at Real. But if for one reason or another he leaves then he will only go to PSG. The decision has been taken and he was in no mood to entertain any other clubs.

He wants to live in France, he likes Laurent Blanc, he has a great relationship with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the club president and he knows life in Paris will simply be sensational for him.

"

PSG are flying high in Ligue 1 at present after opening up a 13-point lead at the summit this weekend, while Real Madrid have endured a stuttered start to their campaign under manager Rafa Benitez.

Ronaldo remains one of Europe's most prolific scorers with 16 goals in 18 appearances, but the haul has been spread across only eight games, and four of those strikes have come from penalties.

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

The sentiment is growing that Ronaldo, who turns 31 in February, could leave Madrid at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, and Europe's brightest are understandably assembling to launch bids for his signature.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News aimed a dig at the French top flight, suggesting the Portugal captain should return to Old Trafford if it's competitive football he's seeking:

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#mufc shouldn't be too concerned about competition from PSG for Ronaldo. He's said he wants to play in a competitive league, after all.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 30, 2015"

A Manchester United comeback has seemed all but impossible for Ronaldo while the Red Devils have struggled following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, but the team finally appear to be getting back on their feet.

However, speculation of a move to Parc des Princes was sent into overdrive in November after Ronaldo was seen whispering in the ear of PSG boss Laurent Blanc following a Champions League tie between the two.

Blanc, who is also a Manchester United alumnus, didn't give away what was said in the exchange, but admitted it as being "very complimentary," according to the Sun (h/t ESPN FC): "Ronaldo told me certain things, yes. But as you might suspect, I won't say what it was. It was very complimentary anyway. I won't say any more about it."

Qatar-owned PSG would certainly be among the short list of clubs rich enough to compete for Ronaldo, and KICCA's Ian Stafford acknowledged next summer's predicted exit of Zlatan Ibrahimovic may influence their chase:

Blanc will need to replace one seasoned, mercurial scoring talent with another, and it seems Ronaldo has caught PSG's attention at a time when Real Madrid may be considered at their most vulnerable.

A long road lies between now and the end of the season, giving Real and Ronaldo time to reverse their fortunes and perhaps extend their relationship, but PSG sit ready to pounce should he choose to depart.