Leaked details shows Gareth Bale is no longer the world’s most expensive footballer

Gareth Bale's status as the world's most expensive footballer lasted all of a week.

The Wales international had details of his contract and terms from his move to Real Madrid leaked last week in the Spanish press that showed Los Blancos splashed £87m [€99.7m based on 2013 conversion rates] on Bale, eclipsing the £80m Real paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. Astonishing money, and it seemed comprehensive that Ronaldo was once again put in the shade by his wing team-mate. But this morning Marca claim that they have proof that Ronaldo is once again the most expensive footballer in the world as his transfer from Manchester United to Madrid cost the club, up to now, €104.7 million for the Portuguese star and not the €80million that everyone thought it had. Why so much more than the fee originally thought to be agreed by mostly everyone? Well the newspaper is reporting that because Real could not pay the money up front, but rather opted to pay Old Trafford the fee in three installments, there was a significant increase in the price due to bank repayments on a loan of €72million. The newspaper reports however that Neymar's transfer is likely to even eclipse Ronaldo's 2009 deal when all the add-ons and the various clauses are included in the deal. Oh, and the tax issues are sorted out. ahem.