BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Ronaldo move in limbo

Ronaldo wants to leave the San Siro

Whether Ronaldo's future lies in Spain or Italy is no easier to determine after another week in which is the on-off transfer has made daily headlines in both countries.

The fact that newspapers in Milan and Madrid have been saying the opposite makes the truth no easier to divine.

"Ronaldo is more than 80% certain to stay with Inter. In fact, I would say 100% certain," Inter president Massimo Moratti was quoted as saying by Italian newsagency Ansa at the weekend.

Moratti admitted that Real had made a bid, but that it had been rejected.

Real 'revive Ronaldo interest'

"The approach was not satisfactory from an economic point of view," he said. "Thus, it is better that Ronaldo appreciates what he already has.

"Now that he's a world champion, someone suggested to him he could do what he wants, but he will stay with us.

"I'm sure he will find enthusiasm again and will play, well, here (in Italy)," Moratti said.

That "someone" would appear to be Alexandre Martins, the Brazilian's agent, who is currently with Ronaldo in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil play Paraguay in a friendly international on Wednesday.

"I'm certain that the transfer will be completed in a few days. Inter and Real Madrid already met," Martins was quoted as saying by Italy's largest sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, on Sunday.

Spanish sports daily Marca had predicted last Wednesday that the on-off deal could be concluded "in a matter of hours".

Moratti said last week that Ronaldo could leave if the Italian club received "a serious offer".

Ronaldo led Brazil to World Cup success

Real are understood to have offered about �30m for the striker who recovered from a long-term injury in time to become the leading scorer at the World Cup in June.

The transfer of French midfielder Claude Makelele from Real to Inter was also believed to have formed part of the deal.

Ronaldo joined Inter from Barcelona in 1997 but spent two seasons out of the game following a serious knee ligament injury in 1999.

He recovered in time to lead Brazil to World Cup victory, winning the golden boot, but he has been linked with a move to Real ever since.

Ronaldo 'wants Madrid move'

One of the reasons cited has been his poor relationship with Inter's Argentine coach Hector Cuper.

The player was left out of the Champions League qualifying squad which travelled to Portugal last week and, before flying to Rio, had been working out alone at Inter's training ground.

The isolation only fuelled speculation that his future lies elsewhere.


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