Paris Saint-Germain are said to have had a bid of $120 million turned down by Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
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PSG are banking that Ronaldo, 30, is unhappy at Real after Carlo Ancelotti was replaced by Rafael Benitez this summer. In various reports from the Middle East, it is said that Real’s president Florentino Perez met with PSG officials in Doha, Qatar in early July but the initial bid was turned down. However with Paris Saint-Germain’s Financial Fair Play restrictions eased by UEFA, it is believed the French champions are willing to up their bid despite Perez claiming that Ronaldo is not for sale.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic said to be close to leaving PSG, Laurent Blanc’s side could have an offensive overhaul this summer with Angel di Maria, a close friend of Ronaldo’s from their Real Madrid days, said to be closing in on a $60 million move from Manchester United. If Ronaldo did leave Real for PSG it would certainly be for one of the largest transfer fees in history and it would also scupper the dreams of United fans who hope to see Ronaldo back at Old Trafford in the not so distant future. Despite these rumors, a PSG official claims that they have not made a bid for Ronaldo. Interesting.
Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror claims that Chelsea will make an improved bid of $40 million for John Stones but they also say that Everton want $52 million for the 21-year-old defender. Jose Mourinho has revealed his admiration for Stones, but is the young Toffee really worth this much? The future heir to John Terry has developed into a fine ball-playing center back, and it seems like Everton will fight tooth and nail to keep him at Goodison Park.
Finally, Spanish outlet Fichajes say that Arsenal will make an improved offer for Karim Benzema. The 27-year-old forward will cost the Gunners $52.5 million from Real Madrid but the French international would become the focal point of their attack as question marks remain over the duo of Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck being able to perform and stay injury-free for an entire season.