Real Madrid refuse to give up on signing Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has told the Spanish press that the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer could still go ahead.

Speaking to sports newspaper AS, he described the protracted move as a "soap opera" and claimed that Real Madrid were mere spectators waiting for the Portuguese player to sort out his future with Old Trafford bosses.

"Look, this is a problem that wasn't created by Real Madrid," said Calderon.

"Madrid are just spectators in this soap opera.

"At the moment Manchester United and the player are in an argument and Madrid are waiting...and we can't do any more for the time being.

"Obviously, it's clear that we want Cristiano with the quality that he has. But there is a contractual problem that United and the player have to resolve, not us.

"Will he persuade the club to let him go? I can't say that. That question's for the player, who has publicly said his dream is to play for Madrid.

"We hear those words with pride and satisfaction, but his departure doesn't only depend on Cristiano. United are the ones that have to sort it out and it will either happen or not."

Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to return to Manchester following the operation carried out on his troublesome ankle last month, but Calderon is hopeful that the transfer saga will be resolved when he finally does.

"It could happen then, but it's true that we have to wait developments," he continued. "Everyone's thinking so much about this matter that people can get confused and I understand that they're fed up.

"They (United and Ronaldo) will talk next week and if after this conversation United decide to sell him, then of course Madrid will be there."

Manchester United have reported Real Madrid to FIFA for their public pursuit of Ronaldo, but Calderon professed his organisation's innocence.

"I would like to remind everyone that Madrid didn't generate this expectation but the player himself," he added. "The club has been respectful.

"(To want to sign him) is a natural and logical desire, equal to that of Chelsea wanting Robinho and (Iker) Casillas or United wanting Sergio Ramos. We didn't blow this all up. The club at which I'm president sleeps with a clear conscience."

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