Cough up to keep Ronaldo: Ferguson tells board to see off Real with £150,000-a-week deal

Chief executive David Gill has steadfastly refused to buckle in the face of continued pressure from Real Madrid but Ronaldo's advisers believe the problem can be resolved by a simple renegotiation of the four-year deal he signed last summer.

That would involve increasing his pay from £120,000 a week and adding an improved image rights package.

Centre of attention: Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his skills during a training session

In the latest twist, Spanish sources claimed yesterday that Real, notwithstanding an official complaint to FIFA from vexed United, had tabled a £70million offer for the 23-year-old Portugal winger - the figure widely believed in Spain to match a release clause in Ronaldo's contract.

United vehemently deny such a clause exists and Ferguson, who has stayed in the shadows and kept his counsel as Ronaldo has flirted with Real, now wants the issue resolved.

Ronaldo is due to clock in at Carrington for pre-season training three weeks after Portugal play their last match - which would be late July if they reach the European Championship Final.

His closest advisers believe Ferguson will soon support a more pragmatic approach from the United board to ensure his greatest asset is onside well before the new season gets under way.

Real's shameless pursuit of Ronaldo was not unexpected and the player's camp clearly expected him to be offered a pay rise, especially in the light of a 42-goal wonder season that saw him scoop all the player of the year awards.

His advisers were utterly dismayed when Gill made it plain that there would be no negotiations this summer.

Ferguson will be disappointed by comments from Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who believes Ronaldo should quit United if his heart is no longer at the club.

But the French star, who quit Old Trafford and all football in 1997 aged 30, says Ronaldo should not move for the money.

Speaking at the UK launch of partouche-betting.com, Cantona said: 'Maybe Ronaldo feels he has achieved everything here (at United) and doesn't find excitement and motivation for next year. 'If it's this reason maybe it's the right decision to leave. But if it's for other reasons I think it is the wrong decision. If he leaves for more money, he is wrong.'

However, in the eyes of the Portuguese camp, a little give and take and an adjustment to Ronaldo's deal which reflects his impact this season, would settle the matter.

Gill's hard-line stance has not gone down well with Ronaldo's advisers, who are convinced the player is quite happy to remain at Old Trafford despite some of his ambiguous musings on Real reported in various quarters.

Privately, they admit he was careless to talk of a desire to play for Real. It has been misconstrued, wilfully or otherwise, as an ambition to be fulfilled now when, they insist, Ronaldo was looking further down the line.

But the drama is in danger of becoming a crisis, with Team Ronaldo feeling slighted that, in their eyes, his huge contribution to the Champions League and Barclays Premier League double has been all but waved away.

United are furious at Real's mischief-making, although the Spaniards yesterday insisted disingenuously that there was no cast-iron evidence of any wrongdoing to put before any FIFA disciplinary tribunal.

Real president Ramon Calderon said: 'It is United's right (to complain) but we have not done anything wrong and we are not going to do anything. It is a matter for the player and his club.'

That again has been interpreted as a hint over the player's contract situation. Spanish newspaper Marca, widely regarded a s t h e Bernabeu house journal, stirred the simmering pot with a suggestion that Real have put together a £70m world record offer to tempt United into selling Ronaldo to them.

Contrary to the belief in Madrid, there is no buy-out clause for even that staggering amount in Ronaldo's contract.

United follow a strict policy of excluding any such clause from their deals with players.

Ferguson, who persuaded Ronaldo to stay despite the furore over his infamous World Cup wink as Wayne Rooney was sent off two years ago, has yet to intervene but will be loath to lose the game's most potent talent on a point of principle - albeit one he fully understands.

But while the odds are on Ronaldo kicking off next season in red rather than white, the impasse is damaging enough to give Real some hope that a ridiculous, bankdemolishing bid would make even United think twice.

Especially if the Old Trafford hierarchy suspect this whole, tiresome scenario could be reprised next summer.