Apparently Real Madrid have a deal in place to sign Ronaldo from Manchester United.

Pedro Trapote is close to Los Merengues' president Ramón Calderón and he let the agreement slip in a conversation that has been transcribed by El Mundo.

Real chased Ronaldo all last summer but looked to have ended their quest when Calderon said they weren't pursuing the Portuguese winker anymore.

These claims are bound to have Fergie in a poor mood tonight, who of course is in Japan with Ronaldo at the World Club Cup.

El Mundo say that Trapote leaked the news after Reals loss to Barca on Saturday night

"If you are asking me what we are going to do now then I would tell you that we have already signed the best player for the summer," Trapote said.

"Are you talking about Cristiano?" the interviewer asked.

"The best of the best. It is Cristiano, there is no other. It is better that we do not say anything at the moment though.

"Why can you not say anything. It is the best time because things are going badly and people need something to excite them in the middle of all this.

"No, it is best to not say anything because there are some clauses that prevent us from announcing it now. For us it would be a good time, but should not do that. But it is not bad, eh?"

Personally I am not so sure how real this news is but it proves that the whole circle of speculation will be in full swing once again

Ugh,

AJ