My heart is set on a move to Madrid, says Manchester United's Ronaldo

The Old Trafford winger has finally admitted to close friends in Portugal that he sees his longterm future in Spain and not with the Barclays Premier League champions.

Bye, bye United: Ronaldo is keen to go

Ronaldo knows that there are serious obstacles to overcome if he is to move this summer and that United will do everything they can to keep hold of him at least for another season.

He has also accepted that he may have to wait at least another year for his move to La Liga.

But - whether he leaves this summer or not - the fact is that the 23-year-old now has his heart set firmly on a move to Real.

It remains highly unlikely that Ronaldo will try to force a switch by officially asking for a transfer but United must now decide whether to hold their most saleable asset to his current £120,000-a-week contract or give in to Real's relentless pursuit of the player.

Last night, indications were that United's position had not changed, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson leaving for his annual break in France on the understanding that the Old Trafford board would not even consider selling the player.

Last week United threatened to report Real to UEFA for making illegal approaches to Ronaldo and chief executive David Gill has subsequently written to the Spanish club demanding that they drop their interest.

Nevertheless, United are becoming increasingly aware that Ronaldo's head has been turned and they now must face up to the grim fact that the Portugal forward wants to further his career in Spain.

Ronaldo's team of advisers have been hoping that United may bend to their demands for a new contract, something that the club has shown absolutely no intention of doing.

But even that would not persuade the player to remain at Old Trafford in the long term. The Madeira-born star feels that two league titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League title represent an adequate set of achievements in England and that he must eventually test himself in another league and in another environment.

Ronaldo is currently in Switzerland with his national team at a training camp ahead of the European Championship which begins at the weekend.

He has said already that he will make an announcement 'in the next few days' but the Portugal camp made it clear last night that they would not take any questions on their star man's future.

Spokesman Antonio Florencio said: "If it's going to (be announced during the tournament) I think it will come through his agent. This is the national team. We have no business dealing with such matters."

Portugal's opening game is against Turkey in Geneva on Saturday and Ronaldo was the centre of attention at their last public training session at their Neuchatel base last night.

The biggest cheers from the 12,000 supporters attendance were reserved for him every time he touched the ball.