Report: Real Madrid ready for summer sale of Ronaldo or Bale

Real Madrid is preparing to move on from Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale - the two most expensive players in world football - in next summer's transfer window, sources told Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC.

Ronaldo's impact has dwindled this term, and multiple reports suggest it's due to a rift with new manager, Rafael Benitez, over the new solitary striking role he's been handed this season. Club president Florentino Perez is also apparently disappointed in the forward's attitude.

Ronaldo has been repeatedly linked with a transfer away from the Bernabeu since Benitez took over, with former club Manchester United or Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain touted as the most likely destinations. Given he turns 31 in February, and the seemingly unlimited resources at the French club, PSG is seen as the likelier of the pair.

Whispers have surrounded Bale's future of late as well, with United again linked with a lucrative deal next summer. Rather than his age, questions instead lie with the Welshman's happiness in the Spanish capital. He's been described at "ostracised" at Real and hasn't forged close friendships with any of the Los Blancos squad.

Despite having less marketability than Ronaldo, Bale is just 26 and has improved certain attributes of his game in the Iberian Peninsula, which suggests he could be a fine heir to his Portuguese colleague's throne. Also, given Perez parted with nearly €100 million to pry Bale from Tottenham in 2013, some suggest the 68-year-old would like to see through a personal project.

There have long been questions over whether Ronaldo and Bale can truly hit it off at Real, and now, in their third season together, it appears one superstar is going to be given the boot.