Ronaldo speculation still rife

While Inter Milan and Real Madrid publicly deny there is life left in the Ronaldo saga, there continues to be no stopping speculation in the Italian press.

On Thursday, the newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport reported that Real were ready to up their offer to £25.5million for Inter's prized Brazilian striker and throw in Argentinian midfielder Santiago Solari for free.

Solari said last week that he had no intention of leaving Real, but appears to have changed his view.

The newspaper quoted him as saying: "The Italian experience attracts me and I am happy with Inter's interest. I will evaluate the situation."

In order to sign Ronaldo, who has expressed a strong desire to quit Inter, Real are thought to need to sell Fernando Morientes with great haste.

He has interested Tottenham but no firm bid is on the table even though talks continue to progress.

With less than 72 hours until the transfer window closes, the prospects of Ronaldo leaving Inter look mighty slim - but until close of business on Saturday the summer's great transfer story is sure to rumble on.

One place Ronaldo would seem certain not to be going is former club Barcelona.

The Catalans would pass up the chance to re-sign Ronaldo, even though taking him back to the Nou Camp would infuriate arch rivals Real Madrid. Speculation in Spain and Italy has linked the Brazilian World Cup winner with a loan move to Barca who he left in 1997.

Ronaldo has made it clear that he is not happy at Inter, just months after returning to full fitness following two years of inactivity, and looks to have been frozen out while the saga continues.

But Barca aren't interested in their former frontman.

Coach Louis van Gaal sniped: "He has not shown the right attitude at his current club and that attitude doesn't fit what we are looking for here."

"When Inter were battling to qualify for the Champions League, I read he was playing golf and we want players who want to play, win and battle."