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Report: Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid for another European club

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo is keen on leaving Real Madrid this summer, but will only consider joining clubs in France, England, and maybe Italy, a source told ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan.

The Portuguese stirred up speculation about his future when he told media following May 26's Champions League final win over Liverpool that he will announce a decision on his future "in the next few days." His words were unsubstantiated by legitimate transfer rumours in the press, and he is contracted at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2021.

Ronaldo is apparently frustrated about not receiving an offer of a new improved contract, and subsequent meetings between his representatives and the Real Madrid brass had brought no progress in the forward's demands.

His apparent preference to remain in Europe would end the possibility of him shifting to Major League Soccer, the Middle East, China, or Japan. It could be difficult to find a suitor for Ronaldo, though. It's understood he isn't happy with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar being paid significantly more than him, so he wants a comparable salary at the age of 33. He is also unsettled by his ongoing tax issues in Spain.

The decision over who will succeed Zinedine Zidane as manager could also influence Ronaldo's future, as would the potential signing of Neymar.

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