Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo remains target for Real Madrid

29 May 2009 11:56
Perez is the overwhelming favourite to return to the president's post he held from 2000-06 and could be installed as early as Monday, without the need for elections, if no other candidates step forward before the May 31 deadline. Recent reports claimed Ronaldo had dropped down Perez's shopping list, with Kaka and Franck Ribery now his No 1 targets. However, when asked whether Real were still interested in signing the 24-year-old, Perez told Marca: "He's also a player that would be very good if he came to Real Madrid. What I know is what I've read, that there is an agreement by means of which he would come for £80 million..." Asked if he would pay that amount, Perez added: "Next week we will look at the numbers and nobody should doubt that we are going to design with our sporting advisors a spectacular project." Perez has yet to offically name his playing and coaching targets, but the architect of Madrid's famous 'galacticos' policy insists the world's leading stars will be eager to join the club. In recent years the likes of David Villa, Santi Cazorla and other players have all rebuffed Madrid's advances, but Perez believes it could be a different story this summer if he returns to power. "I'm sure that now the majority of the players are going to want to come to Madrid, to a new project...," Perez said. Madrid have been linked with a host of players over the last few months since it emerged that Perez, who in his previous stint in charge presided over the signings of players such as Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo and David Beckham, could be on his way back. Two of the biggest names are Kaka and Ronaldo, players that Madrid have long been courting. With regards AC Milan playmaker Kaka, Perez said: "Until the competitions finish we are not going to talk with the clubs, but I've always spoken of my great relationship with (Milan vice-president Adriano) Galliani and this relationship maybe makes it easier that Kaka comes to Madrid. "I've talked with Galliani many times about football and also about Kaka, but this is a theme that we have to postpone until after Sunday." Madrid are also believed to be on the look-out for a new coach, with Juande Ramos' six-month contract expiring this summer. As with the players, Madrid are also being linked with the creme de le creme of coaches, such as Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini. Perez was again reluctant to go into any detail about their targets, but said: "There is a short list of coaches, but no decision has been taken. We are going to have a great coach."

Source: Telegraph