Florentino Perez has launched Real Madrid’s latest bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, unfazed by Manchester United’s stubborn refusal to sell their world player of the year.
Perez, boosted by encouraging noises from AC Milan over his £56million world record offer for Kaka, flexed his new presidential muscles further by insisting he wanted Ronaldo as well in his attempt to relaunch a ‘Galacticos’ era at the Bernabeu.
In his first spell as president, Perez brought Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Brazilian Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham, among others, to the Bernabeu.
He made it clear yesterday he is set on pursuing his policy of buying the world’s best players to restore Real’s status as Europe’s No1 club. He denied growing speculation in Spain that a secret deal is already in place to buy Ronaldo but confirmed he is one of his main targets.
“Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the best players in the world,” said Perez. “I’m going to work to bring Kaka and Ronaldo to Real Madrid. No one has talked to me about this supposed agreement [for Ronaldo]. But it would be very good to see these great players at Real Madrid this season. Cristiano would be one of these.”
Perez’s comments will irritate but come as no surprise to United, who reported his predecessor Ramon Calderon to FIFA for his long-running campaign to destabilise Ronaldo last summer. The stance of the Premier League champions over a player who has three years left on his contract has not changed.
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