In the latest development in one of the most bizarre and high-profile transfer sagas in the history of football, Real Madrid are reportedly ready to offer Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo an earth-shattering contract to move to the Spanish champions

Much of the English press are reporting that the Portuguese phenomenon will be earning the astronomical figure - comfortably over twice as much as the next highest earners in the sport - in a five-year contract worth a staggering £75 million.

Los Blancos are reported to have made it clear to the player's representatives that the offer will not be on the table in a year's time - which is when it is now rumoured Ronaldo will eventually make his 'dream' move.


It was stated late last week that Ronaldo would make a final decision on his future in the coming days and rumours emerged yesterday that the winger had told family and close friends of his plan to leave the club, though there were conflicting reports released hours earlier that the player would stay on for a further year at Old Trafford.

Whether Ronaldo will make his intentions public before Euro 2008 has run its course is yet another piece of this complex puzzle, while Manchester United bosses have said they would sooner let their star rot in the stands than sell him to los Merengues.

Various transfer fees have been banded about in relation to the 23-year-old, but it will without doubt take a world record-breaking amount - meaning over the £46 million paid by Madrid to Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

While these incredible sums of money may seem even beyond the world's most successful club, the president and numerous directors have assured the world that, with the money generated after the player's arrival, he would produce more than enough revenue to cover his own cost.

Real Madrid have on numerous occasions done their bit to try and placate Manchester United management - who have been furious with the continued approach for their player - by saying the signing would be 'impossible', but only to temper such a statement with a look to the future, and the Portuguese international's 'inevitable' signing for the club.