One of the most gruelling transfer controversy's of the summer effectively ended when Real Madrid's President Ramon Calderon revealed he expected Cristiano Ronaldo to remain a Manchester United player next season.
Cristiano Ronaldo looks increasingly likely to stay at Manchester United for at least one more season after Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon admitted there was no more that could be done to lure the winger to the Bernabeu.
"Today there's nothing happening and therefore this is a situation that may end up as it is now, as nothing, and Cristiano Ronaldo will continue at Manchester United next year."
"At the moment, that's the most likely scenario. They (United) don't want to sell so we can't do anything."
Calderon revealed he hoped Manchester United would change their mind ahead of August's transfer deadline.
"Theoretically there's still time for things to change."
"There are two months left until the end of August but Manchester United have to get in touch with Real Madrid and make us an offer."
"But still we don't know if it would be possible to buy him even if they did want to sell."
Reports in Spain suggested United were set to test Real's resolve by offering Ronaldo for around £80million, nearly £12million more than the £67million Real were reportedly prepared to pay.
Calderon admitted, for a player of Ronaldo's calibre, such sums were not out of the question, but insisted the figure was only speculation as the two clubs had never discussed terms.
"This is speculation which may be reasonable given what has happened in the major transfers in football history."
"But we never got round to talking about amounts of money because Manchester United never gave us the opportunity to do so."
"Ronaldo said that he would like, that it is his dream, that he would be extremely excited to come to play for Real Madrid, but it is a desire of the player that cannot be realised without Manchester United's consent."
In a few days time, it is believed, Manchester United and their fans will be able to say "Phew! It's over."
Ramon Calderon will have a face to face showdown with David Gill where the latter might issue a hands off warning to Real Madrid. If he does, it will be "the end" of the Ronaldo saga.
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