Source: Telegraph
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United under speculation once again
Although United continue to dismiss rumours that the 2008 FIFA World Footballer of the Year will leave, the Spanish media persist in their speculation, on this occasion saying that United will let Ronaldo go after July for a minimum of 80 million euros (£71.4 million).
The report also claims that former Real president Florentino Perez – who is expected to announce this week that he will stand in elections to head the club again – has already discussed the payment of the amount with Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes.
When asked last December if a deal could happen, Ferguson replied by saying he wouldn't 'sell that mob [Real] a virus".
And only last month, Ronaldo, who is contracted to United until 2012, poured cold water on suggestions that a 'gentleman's agreement' assuring his move was in place, when he said: "I've responded to this question many times. I am happy at the club.
'I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here. We are the best team in England - that speaks for itself."
Meanwhile, it seems the "will he won't he" saga is starting to get under the skin of Real's own players.
With Kaka another name regularly linked with a move to the Bernabeu, goalkeeper Iker Casillas said he would rather the club focused on catching Barcelona than a potential transfer deal for one player.
"What we need is a team that compete[s] with Barcelona and one player doesn't change a team," he told Sky Sports. "I believe a team always forms together and there cannot be a player that changes everything.
"If we pay €100 million for Ronaldo it's because he's worth it. But with the economic crisis it is peculiar that in football we talk of these astronomical figures."
