But will they get their man? It appears that the battle has only just begun for Real Madrid to land Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the player admitting that he sees his future at the Bernabeu and not Old Trafford, where he has spent the past few seasons. The Red Devils are not going to let their number seven go without one hell of a scrap and a whole heap of compensation to cover the damage caused by his departure.
Nevertheless, the Spanish champions are, how you say, chuffed to bits that Ronaldo has declared his undying love for them, with Ramon Calderon grinning like a cheshire cat who got the cream. The Guardian report that he and Ruud Van Nistelrooy are delighted.
Calderon responded in Spanish newspaper AS: “For Madrid it is an honour to know that a player like him thinks that playing at Real Madrid would be good. We are proud to know that he would like to be with us.”
His comments were echoed by former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who told Spanish daily Marca: “He’d be an important signing for Madrid, because this is a club which signs the best players in the world – and that’s what Cristiano is.
“Cristiano could bring a lot of things to this club. He’s young; he has everything, and a long sporting career ahead of him. For Madrid, he would be a great signing.”
Of course, he’d be a great signing, just give him the ball and watch him win you a league title and Champions League crown. Manchester United know that as well as anybody. However, will they try and keep Ronaldo against his will, potentially making the situation very messy indeed?