Report: Real Madrid won't sell Ronaldo for less than €400M
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly "outraged" and determined to leave Spain over what he perceives as unjust treatment from the country's tax authorities, but, in order for a transfer to occur, Real Madrid will apparently have to pocket at least 40 percent of the Portuguese superstar's release clause.
According to Marca's Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa, Real Madrid would only permit the sale of Ronaldo if Los Blancos were to receive at least €400 million. Jorge Mendes, the most powerful man in football and the Iberian forward's agent, claimed in 2015 that his client's release clause is valued at €1 billion, a number that was allegedly set to discourage clubs from targeting the product of Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Of course, a €400-million transfer would be a world record, eclipsing the €105-million fee paid by Manchester United to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus, with another €5 million payable if certain bonuses are achieved.
La Fiscalia Provincial de Madrid accused Ronaldo of defrauding the Agencia Tributaria of €14.7 million, saying he knowingly used a business structure that was created in 2010 to hide income generated from image rights. He allegedly defrauded Spain's tax agency of €1.4 million in 2011, €1.7 million 2012, €3.2 million in 2013, and €8.5 million in 2014.
"The accused took advantage of a company structure created in 2010 to hide income generated in Spain from his image rights from tax authorities, which is a 'voluntary' and 'conscious' breach of his fiscal obligations in Spain," La Fiscalia Provincial de Madrid said, according to AS.
Real Madrid published a statement, saying Los Blancos have "full confidence" in Ronaldo" and understand his fiscal obligations were fulfilled.
Per the Guardian's Mark Dobson, United, where Ronaldo took the pitch for six years before joining Real Madrid, is watching with renewed interest. Along with Paris Saint-Germain, the Red Devils are reportedly one of the clubs with enough financial muscle to offer a competitive package.
In November, Ronaldo extended his contract until June 30, 2021.