Real Madrid Transfer News: Los Blancos Reportedly 'Seek Cristiano Ronaldo Buyer'

Real Madrid are open to selling superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo and have already "sounded out" potential buyers in Europe who would be able to finance such a deal. 

That's according to Spanish outlet Diario Gol, which reported president Florentino Perez will listen to the right offers for his talisman amid fears Ronaldo's mercurial talents "are starting to fade" (h/t Goal).

The Portugal captain will turn 33 in February and has attracted some criticism with a below-par four goals in 11 La Liga appearances this season, although his overall record of 16 goals in 21 club outings is still impressive.

Rumours of a potential sale could contrast Ronaldo's own intentions, however, after he recently said he'd be open to retiring at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, having moved to Madrid eight-and-a-half years ago, via Goal:

One might also question why Los Blancos would be so open to selling a player who has just won his fifth Ballon d'Or, having led Real to a second successive UEFA Champions League title and the league crown in 2017.

Ronaldo's total record at Real stands at 422 goals in 415 appearances for the club, per Transfermarkt. Marca's Chris Winterburn recently praised him as a legend of the sport:

A slow start to the league campaign means Ronaldo is potentially eyeing his least productive season with Real—at least as far as goals are concerned—having already seen his numbers reduced in the 2016-17 campaign.

After six successive seasons scoring at least 50 goals across all competitions, he netted 42 last season and may struggle to match that figure this term, suggesting there could be some truth to the notion his powers are fading.

Nevertheless, a Ronaldo operating even close to maximum capacity is still a valuable asset, although Real could be looking to optimise the fee they receive for his departure, with his contract due to expire in 2021.

The attacker is  preparing for Saturday's El Clasico meeting against Barcelona, one fixture in which his elite quality is there for all to see, having scored 17 times in 31 games against the Catalans:

There are only a handful of clubs in the world with the resources and means necessary to not only tempt Real into a sale but also convince Ronaldo to join their cause.

Real sit fourth in La Liga and failed to qualify at the top of their Champions League group.