By DAN KARELL
Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t ready to leave the Santiago Bernabeu just yet.
Real Madrid have reportedly come to a verbal agreement with Ronaldo for a new contract, extending his currently deal which is up in 2015. Ronaldo’s new contract will make him the highest paid player in all of Spain at €17 million ($22.56 million) per season for the next five years.
Rumors have persisted all summer that the Portuguese international could be on his way out of the Spanish capital, frustrated at his contract situation and lack of titles. But Ronaldo has the backing of President Florentino Perez and the new contract should help alleviate some issues, like image rights for the player.
Despite the reports from the Spanish press, Ronaldo has yet to confirm that any deal is done. The reports also state that Real Madrid won’t announce the contract officially until later this month.
Here are some more stories to kick off your week:
MAN UNITED REJECT SECOND ROONEY BID
Manager Jose Mourinho and Chelsea have raised the stakes in the Wayne Rooney transfer saga, but it seems a higher bid still isn’t enough.
Reports out of England state that Chelsea have submitted a new bid of £25 million plus add-ons for Rooney, but the move was soundly rejected by the Man United board. The offer is £5 million more than the last bid, which was also shot down.
Rooney has been rumored to be out the door at Old Trafford all summer long, but Man United and David Moyes seem serious about keeping him at the club to play alongside Robin Van Persie. In fact, Rooney is expected to be in the squad that travels to Sweden on Monday to face AIK Stockholm on Tuesday. (UPDATE: Rooney was left off the traveling squad for the match due to a what Man United says is a “shoulder injury.”)
Many think that Rooney is in need of a new challenge, after scoring just 12 goals in 27 English Premier League matches last season.
GIRONA PRESIDENT CLAIMS OFFER TO FIX MATCH
In a shocking development in Spain, a club president has stated to the press that he was asked to pay for a fix.
Joaquim Boadas, President of Girona FC, a second-division club, confirmed the news at a press conference, saying that his captain at the time, Dani Mallo, had approached him to say that someone on Xerez, ahead of the Girona vs. Xerez match, reached out and said for €120,000, Xerez would lose the match.
Boadas also claimed that Racing Santander tried to sign an agreement with Girona over the transfer of a player that included compensation from sources that Boadas wasn’t farmiliar with. In both cases, Boadas soundly rejected the deals and went straight to the President of the LFP (Spanish Football Association), Javier Tebas.
QUICK KICKS
Tottenham have officially confirmed the signing of Roberto Soldado from Valencia. (REPORT)
Mario Götze has returned to first team training with Bayern Munich after an extended recovery period for his injured thigh. (REPORT)
Loic Remy will be a Magpie after Newcastle agreed to take the QPR forward on-loan for the season. (REPORT)
For the second consecutive time, Arsenal have lost the Emirates Cup, drawing with Napoli, 2-2, and falling to Galatasaray, 2-1. (REPORT)
AS Roma is expected to announce the signing of Arsenal winger Gervinho for nearly £7 million on Monday. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Ronaldo staying at Real Madrid through 2018? Do you believe Chelsea wants Rooney or just wants to cause trouble? Do you see any punishments being handed to Xerez or Racing?
Share your thoughts below.