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Page last updated at 14:34 GMT, Sunday, 12 October 2008 15:34 UK

Real keen to make new Ronaldo bid

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has only recently returned from injury

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has revealed that the Spanish giants hope to have signed Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo by next summer.

Ronaldo, 23, was heavily linked with a move to Real earlier this year but the Spanish side eventually had to admit defeat in their bid to sign the winger.

But Schuster is determined to make a new approach at the end of the season.

"We must do everything possible as it would be worth it to have this player," Schuster told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"I think this year it will be a little complicated for his club to hang on to him."

United remain committed to keeping the Portuguese player at the club at least until his current contract expires in 2012 and it would take a huge bid from Real to seriously test their resolve.

606: DEBATE
Tony Soprano's Cigar
However, Schuster believes that although Real would have to pay a big fee to land Ronaldo it could be lower than the 90 million euros that was mooted this summer.

"There is no other solution other than to make a large bid as they'll not let him go on the cheap," he said. "Next year the price could be a little lower."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already stated that he expects Real to make a fresh approach but has warned them that the result will be the same.

Ronaldo is also reported to be wanted by United's neighbours Manchester City following their acquisition by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

However, United chief executive David Gill said that he was taking suggestions of a £135m bid with a "pinch of salt" when interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live in September.

Ronaldo has only recently returned to the United team after missing the start of the season as he recovered from ankle surgery.

He admitted after Euro 2008 that he had been playing with the problem for several weeks and subsequently missed the first month of the current campaign, returning as a substitute in the Champions League draw with Villarreal.




see also
Ferguson issues Ronaldo warning
01 Jun 08 |  Man Utd
Real deny Man Utd Ronaldo claims
10 Jun 08 |  Man Utd
Ronaldo will not leave - Man Utd
20 May 08 |  Man Utd


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