Manchester United are not giving up on the possibility of bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford, with the English Premier League leaders plotting a sensational summer move to tempt the Portuguese from Real Madrid.
Ronaldo is still revered by the United faithful, who still sing his praises in games, and the 28-year-old is expected to be given a warm welcome when he returns to Old Trafford for Real Madrid's second leg against United in the last 16 of the Champions League.
There have been several suggestions of a possible return for one of United's favorite sons, especially after the Portuguese international said he was sad at Real Madrid at the beginning of the season.
Now, United are planning an audacious £55 million ($83 million) deal to re-sign Ronaldo from Real, according to the Daily Star.
The report suggests Ronaldo's transfer value would have come down a bit considering the market climate and the fact that his contract expires in 2015; Ronaldo made an £80 million ($121 million) move from United to Real in 2009.
With the Financial Fairplay rules set to come into effect soon, United might struggle to match Ronaldo's salary, currently at £220,000 a week ($333,500), but sure to increase, however the club plan to divide the compensation by also signing a lucrative endorsement package with the club's wide range of sponsors.
United's new sponsors Chevrolet, who signed a seven-year deal worth £370 million ($560 million), are keen on getting Ronaldo on board and their financial backing would considerably ease any issues.
The chances of this move happening are slim at best with both Ferguson and Ronaldo himself playing down the chances of a return recently.
Ferguson, who still enjoys a great relationship with his protégé, admitted he would love to have Ronaldo back, but the financial implications would be too much for the club to bear.
Ronaldo insisted last month he would honor his contract with Real, while there have also been reports of talks starting over a new and more lucrative deal with the Spanish club.
"I want to see out my contract at Real Madrid, I'm very clear about that," Ronaldo told FIFA.com last month. "After that, well, I don't know what'll happen in the future."
While a return for one of United's all-time greats can never be ruled out, there is little doubt that if the club were able to pull off such a move it would be seen as one of the greatest transfer coups ever.
