Ronaldo to join Madrid
LONDON, June 17, 2008 (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo appears
to be edging closer to joining Real Madrid after reports in England
on Tuesday claimed the Manchester United winger is ready to demand
a transfer after Euro 2008.
Ronaldo has made it clear he would like to sign for the Spanish
champions if they meet his wage demands, but United are determined
to keep the Portugal winger.
United reported Real to UEFA for trying to unsettle their prize
asset but Bernd Schuster's club are still ready to make Ronaldo the
highest paid player in the world if he can persuade United to bow
to his wishes.
That has led to a stand-off between the two clubs that Ronaldo
appears set to resolve himself.
He could be set to hand in a transfer request or even refuse to
report for pre-season training according to the Times, who report
that Ronaldo told a source he "would do everything in his power to
perusade United to sell".
The former Sporting Lisbon star is expected to issue a further
statement, outlining his intentions as soon as he finishes with
Portugal's Euro campaign.
Ronaldo only signed his current 120,000 pounds a week contract
with United 16 months ago but he could expect to at least double
that sum if he switched to the Bernabeu.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed earlier this month that he
would let Ronaldo rot in the reserves rather than be bullied into
selling him.
He is unlikely to be tempted to change his mind by reports that
Real are ready to offer Brazil winger Robinho as part of the
deal.
With Ronaldo appearently determined to quit, the saga could turn
ugly.
The Daiy Mirror reports that a close friend said: "Ronaldo has
made his mind up now and feels it is just time to wait before he
announces what he will do - which is to go to Madrid.
"The announcement about Cristiano's future will be the next
step, but it won't happen until the end of Euro 2008 for him and
Portugal.
"He is determined to be the master of his own future. The
decision has been made and now it's a case of everybody getting in
position for the future - even if United aren't yet ready to sit
down and talk to Real."
