By James Dall Last updated: 22nd June 2008
Ronaldo: Real target
For such a player we will pay what is necessary because what counts for us is to win the UEFA Champions League.
Bernd Schuster
Quotes of the week
Real Madrid head coach Bernd Schuster has revealed the Spanish giants will pay Manchester United 'what is necessary' in order to secure the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The two-time PFA Players' Player of the Year is expected to make an official announcement on where he sees his footballing future in the coming days following intense speculation linking him with a move to the Bernabeu.
United have stood firm over the Primera Division champions' well-publicised interest, insisting that they will not part company with the Portugal international.
However, recent rumours have claimed that Ronaldo is set to reveal his desire to leave Old Trafford with Real poised to swoop for his services with a reported record-breaking offer.
And Schuster has hinted that Real are prepared to spend lavishly in order to acquire Ronaldo, with fresh claims suggesting the club may offer a fee in the region of 100million euros (£79million).
"For such a player we will pay what is necessary because what counts for us is to win the UEFA Champions League," Schuster told DSF.
Schuster also said that he fully understood United's strong will to keep hold of their prize asset after the Old Trafford club reported Real to Fifa over their pursuit of the winger.
"When you have a player of such quality you don't let him go," added Schuster.

La Liga goals - Week eight
Osasuna 1-1 Barcelona - Highlights
La Liga goals - Week seven
Valencia boss chasing pack
Barcelona 6-1 Zaragoza - Highlights
La Liga goals - Week six
Real Madrid 4-2 Valladolid - Highlights
Valencia 0-0 Barcelona - Highlights
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 16:00 | Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona |
| 16:00 | Deportivo La Coruna vs Atletico Madrid |
| 16:00 | Espanyol vs Getafe |
| 16:00 | Malaga vs Real Zaragoza |
| 16:00 | Mallorca vs Almeria |
| 16:00 | Osasuna vs Valencia |
| 16:00 | Real Madrid vs Racing Santander |
| 16:00 | Tenerife vs Sevilla |
| 16:00 | Villarreal vs Valladolid |
| 16:00 | Xerez vs Sporting Gijon |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 16:00 | Almeria vs Athletic Bilbao |
| 16:00 | Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol |
| 16:00 | Barcelona vs Real Madrid |
| 16:00 | Getafe vs Xerez |
| 16:00 | Racing Santander vs Deportivo La Coruna |
| 16:00 | Real Zaragoza vs Osasuna |
| 16:00 | Sevilla vs Malaga |
| 16:00 | Sporting Gijon vs Villarreal |
| 16:00 | Valencia vs Mallorca |
| 16:00 | Valladolid vs Tenerife |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Sevilla 3 - 2 Villarreal | |
| Valencia 3 - 1 Real Zaragoza | |
| Almeria 2 - 0 Osasuna | |
| Racing Santander 0 - 2 Athletic Bilbao | |
| Sporting Gijon 1 - 0 Espanyol | |
| Valladolid 0 - 0 Xerez | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Atletico Madrid 2 - 3 Real Madrid | |
| Barcelona 4 - 2 Mallorca | |
| Getafe 0 - 2 Deportivo La Coruna | |
| Tenerife 2 - 2 Malaga | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Deportivo La Coruna 1 - 1 Sporting Gijon | |
| Malaga 0 - 1 Valencia | |
| Real Zaragoza 2 - 1 Almeria | |
| Mallorca 1 - 0 Racing Santander | |
| Espanyol 1 - 1 Valladolid | |
| Villarreal 5 - 0 Tenerife | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Athletic Bilbao 1 - 0 Atletico Madrid | |
| Osasuna 1 - 1 Barcelona | |
| Xerez 0 - 2 Sevilla | |
| Real Madrid 2 - 0 Getafe | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 10 | 26 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 10 | 25 |
| 3 | Sevilla | 9 | 19 |
| 4 | Deportivo La Coruna | 10 | 19 |
| 5 | Valencia | 9 | 18 |
| 6 | Real Mallorca | 10 | 17 |
| 7 | Sporting Gijon | 9 | 13 |
| 8 | Espanyol | 9 | 13 |
| 9 | Athletic Bilbao | 9 | 13 |
| 10 | Osasuna | 9 | 12 |
| 11 | Getafe | 10 | 12 |
| 12 | Real Zaragoza | 9 | 11 |
| 13 | Tenerife | 10 | 10 |
| 14 | Villarreal | 9 | 9 |
| 15 | Real Valladolid | 9 | 9 |
| 16 | Almeria | 9 | 9 |
| 17 | Racing Santander | 9 | 7 |
| 18 | Atletico Madrid | 10 | 7 |
| 19 | Malaga | 10 | 5 |
| 20 | Xerez | 9 | 5 |
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Guillem Balague wonders if Atletico Madrid's new coach can mastermind a shock win over Real.
Quique Sanchez Flores told Revista he is relishing the job on his hands at Atletico Madrid.
Sevilla closed on top spot with a win over Villarreal whilst Valencia kept up the chase against Real Zaragoza.
Barcelona remain unbeaten and continue to lead the way, but Real Madrid are hot on their heels.
Robinho's father has revealed that the Manchester City attacker's future is far from certain.
Real Madrid have refused Portugal permission to call-up Cristiano Ronaldo for the games against Bosnia.
Sergio Aguero believes Atletico are more than capable of winning the Madrid derby on Saturday.