Ronaldo's '$1.6 billion buy-out clause slashed' amid transfer rumours

Cristiano Ronaldo's buy-out clause at Real Madrid has reportedly been dramatically slashed with a number of top European clubs keen on the forward.

Ronaldo in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Group B match between Iran and Portugal at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia.

Ronaldo in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Group B match between Iran and Portugal at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia. Source: AAP

Cristiano Ronaldo's buy-out clause at Real Madrid has been reduced from 1 billion euros ($A1.6 billion) to 120 million euros ($A190 million).

Spain's OK Diario has reported that the reduction, initially down to 400 million euros and then 120 million euros, was agreed between Real and Ronaldo earlier this year to facilitate a possible summer sale.

According to OK Diario, the massively reduced buy-out clause does not apply to Barcelona or any other clubs in Spain, or Paris St Germain.

The report also says that since the reduction, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan have informed the superstar forward's agent they would be ready to negotiate a deal in relation to the 120 million euro figure.

All three English clubs linked to Ronaldo did not comment on the report when contacted by Press Association Sport on Thursday.

Press Association Sport has also contacted Ronaldo's representatives for comment.

Not for the first time, Ronaldo's future in Spain is the subject of speculation following comments the 33-year-old made in the wake of the Champions League final last month.

The Portugal captain, currently preparing for this weekend's World Cup last-16 clash with Uruguay, admitted immediately after the 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Kiev that he could not guarantee he would still be at Real next season, adding that he would "have the opportunity to talk later on".

While there has been no update from him since then on his future, there has been a change of management at Real, with Zinedine Zidane resigning and being replaced by Julen Lopetegui.

Massive release clauses in players' contracts are commonplace in Spanish football.

Brazil forward Neymar joined PSG from Barca, becoming the most expensive player in history, after his 222 million euro buy-out clause was met last summer.

Earlier this month, Barca and France defender Samuel Umtiti's release clause was set at 500 million euros as he signed a new five-year contract with the club.


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