Ronaldo to Real Madrid: Where is the Money Coming From?
Cristiano Ronaldo fueled the rumor mill be refusing to rule out a transfer to Real Madrid this summer.
Ronaldo, 23, scored an astounding 41 goals in 47 appearances for Manchester United this season. A transfer, should it occur, would break the world record of £46m by Real Madrid for Zinedine Zidane. Reports in April claimed that Madrid offered £100m for the Portuguese winger.
The question is where is Real Madrid getting the money? On paper, they are the world’s richest club. However, just last month they took out a £30m loan to cover operating costs. One study estimates that Beckham’s departure cost them between £28.5m and £37m in annual revenue. How can they afford this?
Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Transfer
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16 May 2008 at 8:01 pm
Do EPL contracts have buy-out clauses as in Spain? I think they don’t, but I’m not sure. I read that in Ronaldo’s last contract the buy-out was established at less than £100 million, at about 80 or so.
Regardless of whether there’s a clause or not, I don’t see how MU could reject an offer close to 100 million. They are in debt; they need that money. I’m a MU fan, and as much as I would like Ronaldo to stay, I couldn’t blame them for taking that offer, even if they were debt-free.
30 May 2008 at 8:37 pm
If there is one club that can dish out that type of money it is real madrid. They will supposedly take out an insurance deal, sell some players, and the revenue they made this year allows them to go forward with this. The administration has punched out the numbers on the calculator and have said it can be done. Also they are not going to offer £100 but 80.
21 June 2008 at 8:49 am
It is important for United’s standing as the major power in world football not to sell Ronaldo at this time. I think he will go to Rela next year or even the year after that