Florentino politics sees Real Madrid drop bid for Man Utd's Ronaldo

Real Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Perez has been convinced to drop his pursuit of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Guardian says Ronaldo's representatives had struck a deal with the former Madrid president Ramón Calderon in April to bring the Portugal international to the Bernabéu.

Perez is keen to make more than one marquee signing and believes the amount likely to be needed to prise Ronaldo from Old Trafford is prohibitive. Calderon briefed that he could sign the winger for about €80-100m and, desperate to add a star name, was prepared to commit a season's budget to just one signing. Perez is not.

Indeed, he has been persuaded by his future director general, Jorge Valdano, and Zinedine Zidane, who looks likely to play a role within the sporting ­directorate, of the need to strengthen elsewhere.

Also, Perez does not want to be seen to endorse Calderon’s deal, nor does he wish to have a player even vaguely seen as Calderon’s signing.