Ronaldo Asks Lower Release Clause at $120m

Cristiano Ronaldo has asked that Real Madrid set his selling price for a potential summer transfer at $120 million or less.

At the same time, the World Player of the Year’s representatives have made it known to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United that the forward is willing to “fight for a move” out of Spanish football if necessary, Dailyrecord.co.uk reported.

The release clause in the five-season contract Ronaldo signed in November 2016 stands at a symbolic $1.2 billion. Ronaldo’s agents are seeking a commitment from Madrid president Florentino Perez that he would sell for a “realistic fee” of lower than one tenth of that sum, enabling long-term suitors PSG and United to pursue the Portugal international.

Ronaldo’s relationship with Perez is at a dangerously low ebb, with sources close to the most successful footballer in Madrid’s history saying that it has reached a point “he doesn’t even want to talk to the president”.

Central to the 32-year-old’s discontent is his belief that Perez reneged on an end-of-season promise to improve his financial terms relative to the sport’s other leading protagonists.

Although Ronaldo cemented his status as the game’s best player by leading Madrid to a La Liga, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup treble this year while collecting back-to-back World Player of the Year awards, his basic salary has been eclipsed by both Lionel Messi and Neymar.