Manchester City's mega bucks move for Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was SERIOUS, it has been revealed. A Bola says intermediaries working on behalf of City tabled Real an astronomical offer for the Manchester United icon.

City were willing to pay €200 MILLION to bring Ronaldo back to England - and hand the player a contract worth €17 million-a-year - a clear €7 million-a-year more than what he earns in Madrid.

Real president Florentino Perez delivered the City reps a resounding 'NO' to their offer and referred them to Ronaldo's staggering €1 billion buyout clause.