The prospect of the Footballer of the Year’s world-record £50million switch to the Bernabeu is closer than ever, especially after Real’s latest offer – of £300,000 a week – was revealed by the Daily Express yesterday.

Portugal’s opening Euro 2008 game against Turkey in Geneva is looming tomorrow, but a source within their camp told the Daily Express last night: “We understand that Ferguson will be coming out to talk to Cristiano. 

“Scolari is a sensitive man. He wants Ronaldo’s mind to be settled so he can play his best football for Portugal. Normally he would not allow a club manager into the camp. But he cares about his players.

“If Ronaldo wants to see Ferguson he will let him, just to put an end to this.”

Ronaldo is non-committal about his future even though  Real’s very public overtures have provoked furious reactions from United. 

But yesterday there were reports in Spain that Ronaldo has told his family he wants to go to the Bernabeu.

Then, last night, speaking to a Brazilian website, he said: “Yes, I would like to play for Real Madrid, but only if it is true that they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask.

“It does not depend on me. It is important for me to send this message out. From now on I will say no more about it.”

Ferguson will fight tooth and nail to keep a player who scored 42 goals last season as United won the Champions League and the Premier League. Ronaldo still has four years of his contract left to run.

Last night United affirmed  the position taken up by Ferguson and the Glazer family hierarchy.

“There is no change,” they said. “It is just the same as yesterday, the day before and the day before that. Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale.”

Portuguese FA president Gilberto Madaiol  last night indicated they wanted the weight of the dilemma removed from the player: “What happens to Cristiano is not our problem. He is a strong boy physically and mentally. He knows what he wants.

“Our problem is to have the best Ronaldo on the field for these next three weeks. That is our problem.”

Ronaldo’s mother, two sisters and grandfather arrived here in Switzerland last night to 

support him at Euro 2008.  And showing how confident he is of Portugal’s progress, he booked their house for three full weeks. It is not just Ferguson, though, who believes Ronaldo should not go to Madrid. 

Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is also worried about the potential move, according to friends, because he fears the nightlife-loving player will be distracted by the bright lights of Madrid. Weighed against that is a wish to cash in on a player at the peak of his powers.

ROQUE SANTA CRUZ, 26, revealed last night that Manchester United are trying to sign him.

The Paraguay striker scored 19 goals in 37 Premier League matches for Blackburn after signing from Bayern Munich for £3.8million last summer.