'Sad' Ronaldo wants to leave Italy for Real, says agent

Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldo is unhappy in Italy and wants to leave Inter Milan, his agent was quoted as saying in Spanish newspapers on Sunday.

Ronaldo's agent Alexander Martin told Marca sports daily that the 2002 World Cup top-scorer had had "four unhappy years" in Italy and wanted to return to Spain.

"Ronaldo is sad in Italy. He has had four unhappy years there and he doesn't feel it is going to change next season," Martin was quoted by Marca as saying.

Ronaldo's future has been the subject of intense speculation this week, with Spanish press reporting that Real Madrid are planning a bid to prise the player away from the San Siro.

Martin, who met Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano last week, said negotiations were at a 'very advanced stage'. But he added that if the Real deal fell through Ronaldo would be staying put.

"If he doesn't go to Real, Ronaldo will stay at Inter. There's no other option," he said.

According to Marca, the sticking point remains a transfer price with Inter wanting 60 million euros for the player and Real only willing to pay 40 million euros.

Real could be willing to offload French midfielder Claude Makelele as part exchange for Ronaldo, Marca reported.

Ronaldo moved to Inter Milan in 1997 from Barcelona, but has spent long periods on the sidelines with injury problems.

He returned to form at the World Cup with Brazil this summer, scoring eight goals to lead his country to a record fifth triumph in the tournament.

Inter Milan have so far insisted the player is not for sale.