Real Madrid make first contact to sign Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate - Reports

According to a report by Ramon Alvarez de Mon (via Madrid Universal), Real Madrid have made first contact in a bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate at Al-Nassr, Aymeric Laporte. The 30-year-old defender is seen as an option to bolster their defense after a tough run with injuries in that section of the squad.

Laporte was a part of the Manchester City squad that won a continental treble for only the second time in English football history in 2023. He was a part of the La Roja team that claimed the Euro 2024 crown in Germany this summer and remains a surefooted defender at the highest level.

Despite Laporte joining the Riyadh-based side in 2023 for a reported fee of €27.5 million, Real Madrid believe that they can sign him for a fee between €10 and 12 million. The defender is reportedly keen to sign for the Spanish giants and will take a pay cut to €5-6 million to facilitate the deal.

Laporte plays alongside Los Blancos legend Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. The pair have taken to the pitch together 49 times and have combined for one goal. They have yet to win a piece of major silverware together.

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"I played at Real Madrid and won everything, it was a pleasure" - What Cristiano Ronaldo has said about Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo is till now the greatest player to have played for Spanish giants, Real Madrid. The Portuguese superstar played some of his best football in Madrid and the club holds a special place in his heart.

The former Sporting, Manchester United, and Juventus star bagged 450 goals and 131 assists in 438 games for the club to surpass legends of the game like Alfredo di Stefano and Raul at the club.

He recently reminisced on his time with Los Blancos in a YouTube video uploaded to his channel, where he said via BEIN sports:

"I played at Real Madrid and won everything. It was a pleasure. I arrived with a lot of pressure as the most expensive player in history, but I always believed in myself.

"Madrid is the type of team that doesn’t fold under pressure. People say they’re lucky in the Champions League, but it’s not just luck; it’s intelligence and preparation."

Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in 2009 in a world-record £80 million deal from Manchester United. He went on to win four UEFA Champions League titles and four Ballon d'Or titles during his time in the Spanish capital.