Rumors of a Real Madrid exit for 29-year-old superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been in overdrive. The Portugal captain admitted last week to being keen on a return to former club Manchester United, with rumors suggesting Los Blancos could be planning a swap deal between Ronaldo and Colombian striker Radamel Falcao.
Recent reports now heavily tip the two-time Ballon d'Or winner with a return to the English Premier League, but unexpectedly, Old Trafford is not believed as his likely destination.
According to the Daily Express (per The Metro), the Red Devils' league rivals Chelsea are planning to make a £60m January bid for Ronaldo in an attempt to bring the Real Madrid star to Stamford Bridge, emerging as shock contenders for the former Sporting Lisbon attacker's signature.
Despite popular belief of a rocky relationship between the Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho and the player, the report claims they enjoy a “great relationship” from their time together at Santiago Bernabeu.
If, and that is a big IF, Real Madrid were to allow Ronaldo to leave Los Blancos, the affection the player holds for the Manchester United faithful may prove to strong to snub the Red Devils for Chelsea.
Ronaldo's agent is reportedly already working on a £55m return to the Theatre of Dreams, and with Van Gaal preparing a lucrative £290,000-a-week package for the 29-year-old, Los Blancos have earmarked Marco Reus and Eden Hazard as replacement if Cristiano exits the Bernabeu.
