MIXED messages are coming from Real Madrid as, just hours after coach Bernd Schuster urged the club to "pay what is necessary" to take Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish capital, president Ramon Calderon has stressed they would not "interfere or create any problems" for Manchester United.
Madrid's public courting of the Portugal winger has outraged United, who have already lodged a complaint with FIFA over what they perceive are attempts to unsettle the 23-year-old.
Calderon claims they will not make a move until they are given enc
ouragement by the Red Devils – although that appears to be at odds with their coach's thinking.
"We will not make a move until the team (Manchester United] says they want to sell the player," the 57-year-old said. "Right now they are saying the contrary and there's little we can do."
Ronaldo's United contract runs until 2012 and the club are anxious to dissuade any possible suitors. On Friday, they released a statement insisting they are not interested in listening to offers for Ronaldo.
However, Schuster is unconcerned by that and has made his feelings pretty clear – even if it costs the club a reported £80million transfer fee.
"For a player of his kind of level, we must pay what is necessary," he said. "Because, for us what is most important is to win the Champions League and he can help us achieve that."
The player himself has yet to reveal where he wants to play next season, although his comments following Portugal's exit from Euro 2008 suggest he would prefer a move to the Bernabeu. If that is so Calderon said Madrid would make their move.
"Once Ronaldo announces his future and once his club accept to sell him then we would have talks," he added.
"Right now, he is a player of Manchester United and we will not interfere or create any problems.
"Ronaldo is under contract with another team and we cannot think about him but focus on the players we have."
Ronaldo is Madrid's top target this summer, with Calderon revealing he expects little action in the transfer market over the coming months.
"We will not even make two signings," said Calderon. "We have a young team. We have made 19 signings in the last two years and what we really want is for the team that we have to consolidate itself. We have young players, who will grow, and that is our hope."
The full article contains 415 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
