Real Madrid want Jermaine Pennant on loan until Cristiano Ronaldo arrives in June

Real Madrid have made a fresh move to sign Jermaine Pennant - as a stopgap before landing Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.

The Spanish giants believe they have clinched a deal sign the newly-crowned World Player of the Year the end of the season.

Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic is so sure his club will get Manchester United Ronaldo that he wants to plans to make a big signing of a right-winger in January.

Real have agreed a £3.5million permanent deal for Pennant but are making a fresh bid to sign him on a six-month loan.

Pennant is a free agent in the summer and Liverpool are unlikely to allow him to go on loan unless he agrees to a 12-month contract extension at Anfield.

Pennant has also been offered a pre-contract with AC Milan.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Ronaldo is not for sale - even in a deal which could be just as big as Manchester City's £100m offer to sign Kaka from AC Milan.

But Real have never given up on the Portuguese star who last summer only pledged his future to United for another year.

His promise to stay at Old Trafford after picking up his award in Zurich this week was less than convincing.

Privately Real have already begun negotiations with Ronaldo's advisers.

A club insider said: "Everyone at the club sees Ronaldo as a done deal for next season."

Get your hands on this week's estimated jackpot of £100,000 by playing the New Football Pools .

Find out what our resident Premier League fan bloggers think - and let them know your views.

Follow every Premier League game live with our brilliant Match Tracker .

Get player videos and transfer news round-ups on the Football Spy blog .