Friday's Real Madrid transfer talk news roundup: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Jadon Sancho

The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Real Madrid eye possible reinforcements.

Florentino Perez oversaw a significant overhaul of his squad last summer before focusing more on youth in January. As is always the case with Madrid, though, some of the biggest names in football continue to be linked, even in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news of possible comings and goings at the Bernabeu.

Friday morning's Real Madrid transfer talk news roundup:

Cristiano Ronaldo 'offered to Barcelona to link up with Lionel Messi'

© Reuters

Juventus forward and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been offered to Barcelona in a sensational move which would see him link up with long-term rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo and Messi have vied for the title of the world's best player for more than a decade now, winning 11 of the last 12 Ballons d'Or between them and frequently coming up against each other during Ronaldo's time in La Liga with Madrid.

The Portuguese talisman has since joined Juventus, helping the Old Lady to back-to-back Serie A titles, but Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has claimed that the Italian champions are looking to free themselves of his mammoth £28m-a-year wages in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.

The report claims that Juve have offered Ronaldo out to Europe's top clubs, including Barcelona, but that any interested parties would also be unable to meet his wage demands.

Balague told 5 Live Sport: "He's been offered everywhere, including Barcelona. I'm not sure if they can get rid of him easily with the kind of money he earns. Who is going to pay that kind of money?

"The reason why Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with PSG, it's not so much because PSG are thinking of getting him, but because Jorge Mendes has been given instructions to actually find a team for Ronaldo.

"We have seen this over the last months, we have seen links with Real Madrid, Madrid said 'no chance! He's not coming back.' There have been talks about MLS etcetera, because Juventus wants to get rid of that wage. It's as drastic as that."

Ronaldo is Real Madrid's all-time record goalscorer, having netted 450 goals in just 438 games for the club.

Andros Townsend claims Gareth Bale wants Tottenham Hotspur return

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Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend has claimed that his ex-teammate Gareth Bale wants to return to the club from Real Madrid.

Bale, who has won two La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, has fallen out of favour with current Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and recently requested to not be included in Madrid's Champions League squad that travelled to face Manchester City as he did not expect to play at the Etihad Stadium.

A return to Spurs for the Welshman has been suggested previously, however the 31-year-old's reported salary of around £600,000 a week seems to make any deal a non-starter, although Townsend feels that North London is where Bale wants to be.

"I think if anything the Bale situation, he'd want to go back to Spurs. The memories of Spurs. His happiness," Townsend told talkSPORT.

"He was the main man. He was loved. He was at the top of his game. So, if anything I think it would work the other way.

"He would be like 'I wish I was at Spurs now and had the freedom to do whatever I want. To express myself and not worry about where I am now where I get scrutinised for playing golf.'"

Bale has only featured 20 times for Madrid in all competitions this campaign, scoring just three goals and providing two assists.

More transfer news from Real Madrid:

Chelsea 'ahead of Arsenal in Sergio Reguilon race'
Chelsea are reportedly ahead of Arsenal in the race to secure a deal for Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon. Read more.

Manchester United 'enquire about Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior'
Manchester United are reportedly the latest club to enquire about the availability of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior as they consider alternatives to Jadon Sancho. Read more.

How Barcelona could line up with Cristiano Ronaldo
Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up if they signed Juventus attacker Cristiano Ronaldo. Read more.

Real Madrid, Barcelona to rival Manchester United for Jadon Sancho next year?
Manchester United could reportedly face competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona if they fail to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho this summer. Read more.

Paris Saint-Germain chief: 'We will never sell Neymar or Kylian Mbappe'
French champions Paris Saint-Germain "are never going to sell" forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, according to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Read more.