Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Arbeloa Rumours

Real Madrid legend Luis Figo has proclaimed Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to join Barcelona in a switch that would replicate his own transfer from the Blaugrana to the Galacticos.

Portuguese icon Figo completed one of the most shocking deals in history when he turned his back on Barca, absconding to the Spanish capital in 2000.

The former attacker has now said Ronaldo could move in the opposite direction to the Camp Nou if Luis Enrique opted to activate his release clause.

Figo told Portuguese newspaper Record (h/t Mark Brus of Metro) there is nothing to stop Ronaldo from making a hugely controversial switch to a rival such as Barca.

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Regarding his countryman, Figo said: "We are in a free market. If there is a termination clause, anything can happen."

Figo left Catalonia and became a traitor in the eyes of Blaugrana supporters when he threw the shirt of Los Blancos on his back after securing a world-record transfer deal, per Ben Findon of the Telegraph.

Speaking about the transfer, Figo told Record, via Brus: "The first reason was for Real was the recognition by the president of Real Madrid. So things were getting more serious and I received the offer, I reported it (to Barcelona) and thought I wanted to improve the contract."

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Figo's mere suggestion Ronaldo could be tempted by a move to join Lionel Messi at Barca will anger Madrid fans at the advent of the Spanish Primera Division.

The 31-year-old Euro 2016 winner scored 51 goals and provided 15 assists in LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League last term, according to WhoScored.com, as Real collected their 11th European Cup.

Barcelona once again earned another LaLiga success as Real laboured during the final months of the domestic season.

In other news, former Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa has spoken about his free transfer back to the Premier League with West Ham United, admitting that his departure from Madrid was like "leaving heaven."

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Commenting on his move away to east London, the player told Spanish radio station Cope (h/t Pete Jenson of MailOnline): 

"

I thought about it long and hard this summer but West Ham is a club that suits me in all ways – the coach, the fans, the stadium, the city. 

It’s difficult when you leave Madrid. It’s like when you leave heaven, it’s difficult to pick a new place on earth but this option is is right for me. At Madrid you have the very best of everything. But I’m very content because I am where I want to be. 

"

Former West Ham defender Daniel Gabbidon was pleased with the Hammers' move for the 2010 World Cup winner:

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Arbeloa brings a wealth of experience with him to England, and he has excellent knowledge of the league after a spell on Merseyside with Liverpool.

At 33, the right-back might struggle to play every week due to the rigours of English football, but he offers the Hammers vital depth as they spend their first season at the London Stadium.

The defender served Madrid faithfully for seven years, winning every trophy at home and abroad as he became one of the most decorated players of his generation—despite being an unsung hero compared to the superstars he supported on the pitch.