The longest running transfer saga of the summer may be nearing an end with the News of the World reporting that Real Madrid are preparing to offer Manchester United £60 million for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The proposed transfer of the Portuguese winger has filled the newspapers for the majority of the summer. Whilst Real have long been admirers of Manchester United’s number 7, the club have so far insisted that their player is not for sale.

Ronaldo himself has remained ambiguous on the situation although the latest speculation has suggested that the player will shortly inform the club he wants to leave for Madrid.

However, according to the News of the World, Real’s coach Bernd Schuster has now admitted that Madrid are still hoping to sign Ronaldo. He said: “The club are working hard to get a solution. We knew it was going to be very complicated.”

The paper reports that Madrid will offer United £60 million for the winger, despite the club having previously declared that their player is not for sale.

Despite this, and possibly encouraged by the positive noises coming from the player himself, Real are evidently hoping they can force a deal through though, despite United not wanting to sell. As Schuster himself acknowledged: “It’s not going to be easy for Ronaldo to come to Madrid but we will have to see.”

The news is likely to frustrate United manager Alex Ferguson who has spent the summer insisting Ronaldo will be a United player next season.

Yet it appears that Real Madrid are determined to get their man, a fact Schuster found hard to deny. He confirmed: “Do I still want to sign Ronaldo? What a question. Of course I do. If you ask any coach that question then every single one of them would want Ronaldo. He is a great player. One of the best.”

The news comes despite Madrid reportedly being on the verge of signing Hamburg’s Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. The Dutchman has largely been viewed as a replacement for Ronaldo, but it is entirely possible Madrid may end up with both players.

As for Ronaldo, he has been enjoying an extended holiday following his exploits at Euro 2008 and a subsequent surgery to correct an ankle injury. However, he is due to return to Manchester United this week where his future may finally be resolved.

Ref From Gill Clark - goal.com