Football agent Jorge Mendes recently announced that an "undisclosed team" from the Chinese Super League had offered Real Madrid a "whopping" €300M ($312.2M) for Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Ed Alvarez of ESPN.com. According to Mendes, the offer arrived in the summer, "just as Real Madrid and Ronaldo's agent were discussing a contract extension." The offer was "duly rejected." The reasons behind Mendes' decision to "reveal the existence of this offer" are not "clear." He "might want to show that Ronaldo is still quite valued" in world football. While his reputation as "one of the biggest stars in football history is indisputable," fame demands "constant reinforcement," and this is an "excellent way" to remind club management, fans and competitors that the player he represents is "still highly coveted." Mendes might also want to prove to the club that Ronaldo "is committed for good with Real Madrid, or strengthen even further his god-like reputation" among the club's fans. The "CSL threat joins the outstanding TV contract signed by the Premier League." Real Madrid's first reaction has been "fast and decisive." Club President Florentino Pérez implemented a series of contract renovations that, at least on paper, "should keep the spine of the current squad intact for the next two or three seasons." In parallel, the club's management "has increased the pace of the marketing activity, renegotiating contracts with several partners and trying to increase the cash to maintain the pace in signings and salaries" (ESPN.com, 1/3).
