Cristiano Ronaldo odds on rejoining Manchester United slashed after Spanish authorities launch tax fraud case against Real Madrid star
BOOKMAKERS have slashed the odds on Cristiano Ronaldo rejoining Manchester United after Spanish authorities launched a tax fraud case against the Real Madrid star.
The Portuguese forward has been charged with defrauding £13million in unpaid tax between 2011 and 2014 by the Madrid prosecutor’s office.
And due to the 32-year-old being the subject of so much non-footballing scrutiny over the last 24 hours in Spain, are offering 6/1, with other bookies giving between 8/1 and 5/1 - down from 14/1 before the story broke.
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He is 12/1 to join PSG and 20/1 to join Manchester City - but United appear the favourites should he cut and run and leave Spain - however he is 1/16 to remain at Real Madrid.
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: "Manchester United fans have been desperate for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Old Trafford and whilst that has long since seemed a pipe dream, the man himself may fancy a change in the very near future."
Paddy Power and Betfair are offering low odds of just 5/1 after being been accused of four separate acts of tax fraud from 2011 to 2014.
Ronaldo’s estimated net worth is between £210m and £230m and earns around £440,000-a-week at Real Madrid.
And he recently signed a lifetime contract with sportswear giants Nike worth upwards of £1billion.
Ronaldo is the latest high profile footballer in La Liga to be hit with a charge by the Spanish authorities. Lionel Messi was given a 21-month jail sentence after being found guilty of tax fraud.
Meanwhile, Neymar has been ordered to stand trial for fraud following his bitter transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.
And Javier Mascherano was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of tax evasion.
Despite this charge, Ronaldo is still expected to land a record-equalling fifth Ballon d’Or after another sensational year on the pitch.
He produced one of his most lethal seasons to date as he helped Real Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho is known to want to improve his squad this summer, and the addition of the former Old Trafford star, who spent six seasons at the club between 2003 and 2009, would make drastically improve their chances of competing for trophies next year.