So the more I think about it the more I truly believe he is actually leaving madrid.
If cope is right and Madrid will not give him a pay rise (which they shouldn't after giving him one last year) and they won't offer to pay his tax bill, then that suggests Madrid is open to the idea of cashing in imo. They have just won their 3rd CL in 4 years and even without Ronaldo arguably have the best team in Europe, I'm sure if they sign Mbappe/Hazard they will remain favorites.
Ronaldo is as everyone knows 33 next February. With Madrid desperately wanting Mbappe they can easily sign him with the funds they would receive for selling Ronaldo. If there has ever been a time to cash in for him it is now, as he is the best in the world and is on course for his 5th?? Balon D'Or. And even though he will probably continue to be clinical and class for the next 3 or more years, it may be the last chance they can expect a world record fee for him with talents like Mbappe, Demebele and even Neymar possibly moving on in the near future.
I wouldn't be surprised if Madrid are starting to become fed up with his "I'm sad" stories coming up every other year and now in light of this tax allegation and the points mentioned above have become open to idea of Selling him and replacing him with Mbappe. Madrid doesn't seem like the club to let a player set out into the sunset and retire, they need to have that new shiny toy. And to me they have acted like someone in a relationship wanting out.. not giving the other person attention with the hope that they end it so you don't look like the ass.
We all know Ronaldo still loves United and is still to this day a supporter of the club, as he said during the 2015 balon d'Or ceremony. I'm sure if he leaves United will be his preferred choice. Now if mendes has told United and other clubs he is available and is in fact looking for a move then that seems to be true, as mendes is starting to lose his influence after losing Falcao and if I'm not mistaken other high profile players. His 2 star clients are Ronaldo and Jose, would he risk jeopardizing his relationship with Jose by blatantly lying to him about Ronaldo's availability? Given the rumours of Gestifute culpability in this tax case, and the possible friction between Cris and mendes as a consequence of that, would mendes risk losing both Mourinho and Ronaldo? I think not.
So I reckon this might just happen this time. It's Reals last chance to cash in the big bucks for Ronaldo and go and buy the next great talent in Mbappe. Ronaldo is once again The story of the summer and is satisfied, plus he makes an emotional return "home" and guides us to further success. It would further enhance Ronaldo's legacy if he comes back to United and probably single handedly brings back the glory days to old Trafford.... even if that's for a couple of seasons. His ego wouldn't be satisfied by tearing up ligue 1 with a sugar daddy club imo.
All while Real are enjoying their new star Mbappe And continue to win things. At the end of the day, Ronaldo is not bigger than Real Madrid and even more so now he that he is 32... I think Madrid see that now as well.