Calderon - No price too high

Money no object for Real president

Last updated: 3rd June 2008

Calderon - No price too high

Ronaldo: Not too much for Real

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Ramon Calderon has insisted that Real Madrid have the money to buy Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real's public pursuit of the Portuguese winger has angered United and the Premier League champions have threatened to go to Fifa over the matter.

United are desperate to keep hold of the 23-year-old and Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed the Glazer family would not sell him 'at any price'.

Calderon's interest appears to have cooled in recent days with the Real president accepting that United do not want to part with the player.

However, Calderon has stressed that funding such an expensive transfer would not be a major problem for Real.

"What I have always said is that this club wants its money to be on the pitch, not in the bank," he said.

"Nothing is expensive or cheap on its own. The counter-balance is what you receive for the price you pay.

"They know what we earn and it is made public that Madrid has it.

"Last year we made signings that looked expensive but now they look cheap."

Symbolic

Ronaldo himself is expected to make an announcement on his future this week but, even if he joins Real, Calderon has stated that Raul will continue to wear the number seven shirt.

Calderon was fielding questions from the club's supporters when he was asked what would happen if Ronaldo arrived and demanded he wear the shirt.

However unlikely that is to happen this summer, Calderon reiterated that while Real want to sign the world's best players, Raul remains symbolic to the club.

He said: "We do not know if he is going to come, but he is not going to remove the number from Raul, that is untouchable whoever joins."

David Beckham's arrival at the Bernabeu in 2003 saw the potential for a problem after his time as number seven at Old Trafford, but the English midfielder willingly chose number 23 rather than suggest Raul give up his shirt.