United start talking telephone numbers and tell Real: We value Ronaldo at £75,000,000

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• More United news

That figure would eclipse the previous world-record fee of £49m that Real Madrid paid for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

The new king of Spain? Ronaldo is wanted by Real Madrid

Reports suggest that the Spanish champions have been given that figure to work with after making an approach for Ronaldo at the start of the transfer window - but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson does not want to sell.

A leading agent told the Daily Express: "A few days ago, as the transfer window opened, Real Madrid made it plain they would pay 60m euros (£44.3m), but Manchester United's response was emphatic.

"They told Real not to come back with anything less than 100m euros (£73.9m) – and even then there is no guarantee that they would would take it."

Whether the initial 'offer' and the reply came from agents rather than directly from the clubs is debatable. But there is no doubt Real want Ronaldo – badly enough to break the record fee.

The wealthiest club in the world may balk at more than £70m for Ronaldo but they are ready to offer in excess of £50m - and the Express insists the Portugal star wants to go with a deal already hatched.

Ferguson has previously sanctioned the departure of David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gabriel Heinze to Real but players he wants to keep will not be allowed an easy passage.