Clubs raise prices on Manchester United transfer targets after Ronaldo mega deal

Manchester United are being held to ransom over their attempts to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo's £80million switch to Real Madrid.

As Ronaldo looked ahead to life after United, his former club faced their first major obstacles in their attempts to recruit the players to replace him.

Although United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has the entire £80million from the sale of Ronaldo to spend on new signings, he faces a battle to land his top targets.

Europe's top clubs, aware that Ferguson is now armed with huge funds to spend, have upped their prices.

United have already been forced to increase their initial £12m offer for Luis Antonio Valencia to meet Wigan's asking price £17.5m for the Ecuador midfielder.

Bayern Munich warned United it would take a "crazy" offer - believed to be around £50m - to persuade them to part with France star Franck Ribery.

And Lyon moved to head off any attempt by United to land their £30m-rated striker Karim Benzema by insisting he will not be available until after next summer's World Cup.

In addition Carlos Tevez's advisors are holding out for a £32m fee as neighbours City wait to take advantage of United's uncertainty about completing the deal.

Tevez, who plays in a benefit match for Javier Zanetti in Argentina this weekend, said: "I don't know anything about my future.

"My desire is to stay in England but it's in the hands of my agents. I want to start my holiday knowing what my future is."

And Fergie also wants his summer transfer business concluded early, especially before United jet off to the Far East for their pre-season tour on July 15.

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