Real president insists he won't risk United relationship over Ronaldo deal

06 June 2009 10:32
Real Madrid's relationship with Manchester United is more important thansigning Cristiano Ronaldo, according to club president Florentino Perez. Madrid's high-profile pursuit of United's Portuguese winger appears to havebeen put on the backburner this summer as they attempt to sign AC Milan'sBrazilian superstar Kaka. And Perez, who recently returned for a second stint as president at theBernabeu, insists he would not pursue the club's targets in a manner which couldjeopardise his relationships with other top clubs. 'If one day there is a chance of [Ronaldo] playing for Real Madrid, that wouldbe an honour for us,' he told The Times. Let's be friends: Real's re-elected president Florentino Perez is keen to maintain strong links with the world's best clubs 'But if I had to choose between the friendship with Manchester United and thesigning of Ronaldo, I would choose the friendship. 'Plus, I have never said that Cristiano will arrive in June. That is an arrogant and false statement.' He continued: 'I shall be talking with [United manager Sir Alex] Ferguson and [chief executive] David Gill to build bridges. 'If we sign Kaka from Milan, I can assure you that we will still have a very good relationship with [vice president Adriano] Galliani.'

Source: Daily_Mail