According to The Sun, that most impeccably honest of tabloid newspapers, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Manchester United for Real Madrid next summer.
The reason? Three little digits sent to the copyright office in Portugal last month.
The FIFA World Player of the Year's agent, Jorge Mendes, had thetag 'CR9'trademarked onhis client's behalf in December - and that could spell the end of his career at Old Trafford, apparently.
Ronaldo currentlyoperates underthe 'CR7' brand, which are his initials combined with the shirt number he wears for both club and country.
But he would have to pick a different digit (or two, perhaps) if he moved to the Santiago Bernabeu, because legendary Blancos captain Raul already sports the No. 7 jersey.
Thus, the registration of 'CR9' - which Ronaldo can now use on merchandise, among other things - would seem to indicate that not only a change of number, but also a change of scene, is in the offing.
Furthermore, the current incumbent of the Merengues' No. 9 shirt - Argentinestriker Javier Saviola - is expected to leave the clubshortly after failing to make any real impact since joining from Barcelona.
It is a tenous link on it's own, certainly; but combined with the recent reports of Madrid's preparations for a summer swoop, all signs suggest that the Spanish giants are finally getting somewhere in their pursuit of Ronaldo.
Mike Maguire, Goal.com
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