Real Madrid will think that they came close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United last summer, but the cold reality is that Manchester United are not willing to let go of their prized asset unless a crazy money offer comes along.

Real Madrid are, of course, famous for their crazy money and with Ronaldo in red-hot form, it’s not hard to imagine Capello’s dour Madrid getting a much-needed boost from Ronaldo’s skills and talents.

AFP reports (via Yahoo News):

Spanish giants Real Madrid have made a bid for on-fire Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real, without silverware for four years, have bid 40 million euros for the 21-year-old Portugual international in an effort to sign him in the January transfer window, the Madrid-based ABC daily has said Thursday.

But the English Premiership leaders have no intention of letting go of the in-form Ronaldo, who scored three consecutive doubles for his club over the holiday period, and have slapped a price tag of 70 million euros on him, ABC said.

It was not possible to confirm the report at Real Madrid.

I don’t think Manchester United will be willing to sell at any price, although if a 40-50 mil bid comes in you have to wonder whether any player is worth that much money or not.

Ronaldo is gold, and his best years are in front of him, AND he’s happy at Old Trafford for the next few years, at least. Madrid want him but they’re also after Ribery, and are much more likely to back the Neville-lookalike than they are to get their grubby hands on Manchester United’s finest.

So please dismiss this bullshit as…bullshit.