Ronaldo's Real Madrid deal 'is on'

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1 July is D-Day in Real Madrid’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish giants are claiming that a £70m deal to take the Manchester United winger to the Bernabeu is in place and the sensational transfer will be done in less than two months time.

Despite United manager Sir Alex Ferguson blasting suggestions that an agreement had been struck with Madrid some six months ago, when he said: "I wouldn’t sell them a virus," Real say that the deal is on and has been for almost a year.

Reports in Spain have suggested that the two clubs signed contracts last summer agreeing that Real could buy Ronaldo after 1 July this year, provided they are willing to part with a world record £70m.

It will be up to the Spanish club if they want to pay the massive fee for the Portuguese star, but having pursued him for over a year it is unlikely that they would back out of a deal that has already been struck for them to sign the world’s top player, no matter what the price.

United reported Real to Fifa for allegedly making an illegal approach for Ronaldo last summer, but no action was taken.

This story was sourced from the Belfast Telegraph.