Ex-Real Madrid President Hints at Ronaldo's Departure after Bale's Arrival

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes Florentino Pérez's pursuit of Welsh international Gareth Bale stems from uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future. The Portugal international's contract expires in 2015 and he has yet to sign an extension, amid rumours of Manchester United's interest and disagreements over salary.

"I know that he is not happy at all with the attitude and behaviour of the president. He is asking for €20million net every season which is going to be difficult for Real to accept. I think the president has all his eggs on the table just in case he can't get the renewal of Cristiano. That is my impression," Calderon told talkSPORT.

"He's afraid at some moment that Cristiano will say, 'I am not going to go on'. That will be bad news for Madrid. I would like to see him retire at Real but now the situation is difficult. Let's see in the next weeks or months if it can be sorted out and he can stay," he added.

Meanwhile, Madrid are confident they are close to a deal for Bale. The Mail Online believes Santiago Bernabeu chiefs will offer Tottenham £87m in cash and a player; who is likely to be Castilla striker Alvaro Morata, although Portugal left-back Fabio Coentrao has also been linked, according to the Metro.

As all this rumbles on, Brazil international Kaka has welcomed the potential arrival of the Welshman.

"He's a very, very good player. If he comes to Madrid he will be welcomed. He's an amazing player with lots of technical ability, skills and tricks. We will be very happy if he comes," the former AC Milan star told Sky Sports.

And the more this saga continues, the more number of people are weighing in - Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup is the latest. The former Danish international played for both Madrid and Barcelona, winning five Spanish league titles between 1990 and 1995.

"Is he worth £100m? Who can tell? Everything is worth what one club, one person, one company, is willing to pay. It's like buying a house. We talk about it like merchandise and I don't like it, but it is a fact that if one person is willing to pay then he is worth it," Laudrup explained.