Stay-away Ronaldo avoids Ferguson showdown as Real line up £70m bid

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Cristiano Ronaldo has made a last bid to force to sell him by refusing to return to the club and face manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sources close to the Portugal star told The Mirror: 'Cristiano is not going back today, tomorrow, or any time soon. Everyone knows what he wants.'

The 23-year-old, who had been on holiday recovering from an ankle operation, was due to return to United's Carrington training ground today (Tuesday).

But as Real Madrid finally prepared to make an official £70million bid, Ronaldo decided against his return to Manchester.

Real president Ramon Calderon stayed in London after the weekend's Emirates Cup competition amid speculation that he had scheduled a meeting with United officials.

That failed to materialise but while Ferguson has remained utterly insistent that Ronaldo will not be allowed to leave, Real believe that there are now cracks in United's resolve.

That could see Real make their move before the end of the week, with a draft plan that envisages the signing being completed by August 14 - and Ronaldo becoming the most expensive player in football history.

Although Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, is doubtful that the transfer will take place, Real's determination to land Ronaldo has intensified after Dutch schemer Wesley Sneijder suffered a serious injury in a clash with Arsenal's Abou Diaby on Sunday.

The Spanish giants are set to unveil Rafael van der Vaart today after the Holland international agreed his move from Hamburg, but Ronaldo remains their top target.