Real ready to reel in Ronnie

Real prepared to break the bank for Portuguese winger

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 14th May 2008

Real ready to reel in Ronnie

Ronaldo: Class act

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Real Madrid general director Angel Arroyo insists the club could afford to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Manchester United winger has once again found himself linked with a summer move to the Santiago Bernabeu, a situation which is now becoming an annual event.

Reports have suggested that it would take a record-breaking £100million to take the Portuguese superstar to Spain, with even that unlikely to tempt United into parting with their prized asset.

However, Real are renowned for doing whatever it takes to get their man and Arroyo's insistence that the figures currently being discussed are within the club's financial capabilities will worry the Red Devils.

Beneficial

"Real Madrid have the solvency and the financial liquidity to be able to take on a signing of the magnitude of Cristiano Ronaldo," the director told Marca.

"It would be economically beneficial due to the merchandising that would arise from it.

"If it is not possible for the club to sign him, it would not be because of money but for other reasons."

Real president Ramon Calderon has previously admitted that signing Ronaldo would be "almost impossible", but the Spaniards are unlikely to give up without a fight.