Source: Daily_Mail
EXCLUSIVE: Ronaldo set to stick with United as Real ramp up quest to sign Ribery
Manchester United's hopes of hanging on to Cristiano Ronaldo have soared after it emerged that Franck Ribery expects to fill the wide vacancy at Real Madrid.
The newly-crowned champions have been bracing themselves for the worst after repeated claims from Florentino Perez that he would mark his likely triumph in the forthcoming presidential elections by parading Ronaldo as his prize capture in a world-record £90million deal.
But sources close to the Bernabeu have revealed that Ribery is now the prime target to provide extra flair on the flanks on a transfer hit-list that is topped by AC Milan's Kaka and also contains Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
As a further indication that Ribery is bound for the Bernabeu,Sportsmail can reveal that the France midfielder has increasinglyalienated his Bayern Munich team-mates in recent weeks by constantlyfilling the dressing room with talk of his proposed move to Real.
Bayern bosses have always insisted Ribery is not for sale but are now ready to discuss a fee with Real after fearing the 26-year old £20million signing from Marseille is posing a growing threat to morale at the Allianz Arena.
'He is always talking about Real Madrid, and there is a feeling now that it may be better for all concerned if he went,' said a Bayern insider.
One of Ribery's advisers also acts for Zinedine Zidane, who will have a prominent role at the Bernabeu under Perez, and it is believed talks are already underway over concluding a deal that would keep Ronaldo from Real's clutches for at least another 12 months.
The United star came close to moving to Spain last summer but was eventually persuaded to extend his stint at Old Trafford.
Real have also targeted Wigan winger Antonio Valencia, who is on United's radar this summer.
