Real Madrid Including interest, 'Blancos' paid 104.7m for CR7

Cristiano Ronaldo's move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 remains the most expensive transfer in football history.

Football Leaks' release of the paperwork relating to Gareth Bale's switch from Tottenham had led many to conclude that the Welshman's signing had eclipsed the deal for Ronaldo, but this was based on a misunderstanding.

The agreement Spurs and Real Madrid signed on 31st August 2013 featured two payment options. Either the Bernabéu giants could fork out 91,589,842 euros in one go, or they could pay the fee in four instalments of 24,935,895 euros, taking the total to almost 100 million (99,743,542 euros, to be precise) which includes tax to the tune of 6% and an extra 5% by way of training compensation as required by the FIFA regulations.

When the documents were divulged, some media outlets compared the above total, of which Real Madrid will make the last payment on 24th July this year, with the figure of 97 million euros quoted for the signing of Cristiano back in the day.

However, what this doesn't take into account is that Real Madrid also agreed to pay 72 of the 97 million for Ronaldo in three instalments, taking out loans in order to complete the deal. The interest on these payments puts the overall price of bringing in the Portuguese star at 104.7 million.