In a story reminiscent of a Marca piece, The Times claim that their sources in Madrid have told them that despite the ongoing hostility coming from Old Trafford an offer will be made.

Los Merengues know that while Sir Alex Ferguson is unhappy at the thought of losing his star player, the owners of the English champions may find such a mega bid too good to turn down.

United have lodged an official complaint with FIFA over the Spanish giants' public attempt to unsettle Ronaldo and despite Madrid's denials, it easy to see why th case has come about.

President Ramón Calderón believes that his rather unsubtle plan is working and The Times state that he is pleased with the way the saga has gone.

Madrid's supporters are said to be ken to see Ronaldo at the Bernabéu, but Calderón will not win many of the doubters over even if he is successful in prising the player away from United.

In his pre-election manifesto, the Madrid supremo promised to sign Cesc Fàbregas, Kaká and Arjen Robben and only tbhe injury-prone Dutchman has arrived to very little fanfare.

If Calderón fails in the latest clumsy quest to buy a superstar then his popularity will drop even further among the fans that have the role of voting him back in next time.