Real - We are waiting on Ron

Madrid president claims his club are 'spectators' in saga

Last updated: 26th June 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal

Ronaldo: Transfer saga

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Ramon Calderon has again insisted that Real Madrid are nothing more than 'passive spectators' in the Cristiano Ronaldo saga.

Speculation over the future of the Manchester United ace has dominated the headlines for much of the summer, with a series of claims and counter-claims from the three parties involved.

The Spanish champions have made no secret of their desire to land the Portuguese phenomenon, who has made a number of thinly-disguised statements over where he sees his future.

But United are adamant that Ronaldo, who is under contract at Old Trafford until 2012, is not for sale, and they are not prepared to listen to any offers.

Real president Calderon claims that they do not want to harm their relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson's side, and it is up to Ronaldo and the Red Devils to determine where his future lies.

Provoked

"I suppose they think we have intervened in some way," he told Madrid radio station City FM. "But it's not like that and that's the truth.

"We know that it's something between the player and Manchester United.

"If the player continues to insist that he wants to come and if United will consider letting him go, then we'll ask.

"If the price is right and everyone's happy, then it won't turn sour.

"I prefer not to talk much about him because he is a United player. We are in this situation as passive spectators, but his declarations have provoked a lot of expectation.

"Nevertheless that is not enough because the player belongs to United, a great club that we are friends with, and we don't want to interfere."

He continued: "He is a great footballer. But it is not up to the player nor to Madrid. Manchester don't want to sell him.

"It seems to me that he has become a bit of a 'hot potato' at United. But I don't want to talk about that because what I say could be misinterpreted.

"If it was me, it would make me proud that the big clubs were asking about our players."

A lot of money

Should United change their stance, then Real are expected to have to break the bank to land Ronaldo, with a world-record fee of 85million euros (£70million) mentioned.

Calderon was not keen to discuss a specific fee, again claiming that United would have to agree to the sale first, but insisted his club would not be held to ransom.

"It seems a lot of money to me, but I don't want talk of this issue to continue," he added.

"It's something that we have to put to one side because it has caused a lot of unwanted arguments.

"It seems to me too soon when we have not started talking to United. And the only thing that we know is that the club won't sell the player.

"There are things that we can't even think about when United aren't ready to sell, but in whatever operation we do we are careful not to put in risk our good administration, and that is what we will do."