Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United could come to a head in the next few days with Florentino P?rez, the Real Madrid president, preparing to table a world-record bid.
Although Jorge Valdano, the Real sporting director, claimed yesterday that Real were already in talks with United, P?rez indicated that he had yet to speak to the Barclays Premier League champions, but was planning to call David Gill, the club’s chief executive, and Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, to discuss the matter.
“I have not yet spoken to them [United], but I will do it in the coming days,” P?rez told Spanish radio.
Reports in Spain suggested that Real had bid €89 million (£76.2 million) for the player.
United refused to comment publicly yesterday, but privately they are dismayed that Ronaldo’s future has become the subject of frenzied debate for the second summer running. Gill and Ferguson’s intentions remain unclear, but a sale to Real would represent a spectacular about-turn given that both have said several times over the past year that he is not for sale.
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P?rez is expected to take a step back — if only for this summer — if United indicate to him that they will not let Ronaldo leave. Valdano, though, is convinced that the club are open to selling the World Player of the Year.
“I can’t answer any questions about him,” he said. “I can only talk about players who are on their way here, not those we are in negotiations over.”
Another player facing an uncertain future at United is Carlos T?vez, although it is thought that the club want the Argentina striker to remain at Old Trafford amid firm interest from Manchester City. T?vez is likely to make a decision on whether he will stay before the end of the week.