Ronaldo's Madrid move 'prompts property race from football stars
Friday, July 31, 2009 @ 4:48 PM
By John Bingham
Friday July 31 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid has reportedly prompted a new football bidding war - in the property world.
Top players including Carlos Tevez are said to be vying to buy the former Manchester United star's British home after his move to Spain.
The luxury house in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, has been linked to interest from a string of new signings at United's local rivals Manchester City.
Ronaldo, who moved to the Spanish club in a world record €94m transfer deal, paid about £3.85m (€4.5m) from the mansion in Cheshire's "footballers' wives belt" last year.
He is said to have put the property on the market for £4.5m (€5.3m) but several footballers have offered over the asking price, The Sun reported.
Kolo Toure, 28, reportedly leads the race with a £5.5m (€6.4m) bid, following his move to Manchester City from Arsenal.
But Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gareth Barry, are all said to have made offers.
A source was quoted in The Sun as saying: "All the big players signing for City are having a sniff around Cheshire for the best house.
"Toure has made the biggest offer so far, but the others haven't given up on the chase yet. They all have deep pockets."
The 24-year-old Portuguese winger sealed his move to Real Madrid on Tuesday with his first goal for the Spanish side during its 4-2 victory over Liga de Quito in the Peace Cup.
www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ronaldos-madrid-move-prompts-property-race-from-football-stars-1848499.html