Real Madrid require a fee for Ronaldo while the emergence of a clutch of young players bars the route to a return for David Beckham, sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has said.
With coach Fabio Capello having discarded Los Angeles-bound David Beckham and with Ronaldo reportedly set for a return to Italy with AC Milan, Real have begun ditching their superstar image, signing young stars such as Argentine pair Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago.
Asked about the future of 31-year-old Beckham and Ronaldo, 30, Mijatovic said Monday Real wanted a transfer fee for the Brazilian, courted by Milan, who are said to want a free transfer. Saudi side Al-Ittihad have complicated matters by offering 10 million euros.
"Real Madrid cannot allow Ronaldo to go for nothing. We had an offer for him in the summer but the management decided along with the coach not to let him go."
"But in the end we realised things weren't working out as we had thought. That's the stuation and we'll see what emerges in the days remaining to the end of the transfer window," Mijatovic told Realmadrid.Com.
On Beckham, Mijatovic acknowledged the former England star wants to play a part with six months left on his contract before he joins MSL side Los Angeles Galaxy.
{{/usCountry}}On Beckham, Mijatovic acknowledged the former England star wants to play a part with six months left on his contract before he joins MSL side Los Angeles Galaxy.
{{/usCountry}}"Like a lot of players who have done big things for our club he wants to play but there are youngsters who are also very promising. I think these youngsters have the advantage at Real Madrid over the players who have been here several years," Mijatovic said.
He added it was up to Capello if Beckham were to play again for the club.