Manchester United fans may have to wait another 18 months before seeing Cristiano Ronaldo join their side at the Old Trafford again.
According to UK publication The Independent, "Cristiano Ronaldo is privately being urged to wait 18 months before making his last big move in football - a strategy which could place him within financial reach of Manchester United."
The publication notes that Ronaldo is signed with his current side Real Madrid until 2015 but if he waits until his contract expires, he could make an astronomical fee with the team of his choice. "If he waits until he is out of contract in June 2015, he will be able to secure a colossal signing on-fee and substantial wages which would add up to a 140 million euros (118 million pounds) welcome home package," the publication added.
Under the current terms, Manchester United would have to compete with the 85 million pound offer that Monaco has offered the superstar.
Of course, Manchester's greatest adversary is Madrid President Florentino Perez. The Madrid executive has been adamant about his desire to retain his superstar. "There are no open negotiations at the moment, that will be from July. My opinion is that Cristiano will retire at Real Madrid, that is his dream, and the club's too. Some people think that negotiations are done in the newspapers," said Perez in a recent interview. "I will do everything in my power to renew the contract. He has two years left on his contract, he is the best in the world and we would like to give a boost to the team with him as a leader and an emblem," said Perez. "I would not sell him for 1,000 million euros (1 billion Euros). We are not a selling club."
"I would bet Cristiano will retire at Real Madrid because it's the natural thing," he added. "We will negotiate the new contract before the start of La Liga and I am convinced that everything will come out well."
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