Manchester United are preparing a £30million bid for defender Ricardo Rodriguez, according to reports in Germany.
Bild says that United have identified the Wolfsburg player as their top defensive target for the January transfer window and that a formal bid is imminent.
Real Madrid have also been linked with the Switzerland international, who has developed a reputation as one of Europe's best full-backs with his performances in the last two years. He was impressive in Wolfsburg's Champions League ties against United this season.
He is contracted to Wolfsburg until 2019 but a bid of £30million would almost certainly persuade the Bundesliga club to sell.
Rodriguez said earlier this week that he had not been made aware of any interest from Real. "I've not heard from Real," he said. "I don't know if there's anything in it. Even my manager has said nothing to me, so there is nothing new."
It’s fair to say new Real Madrid managerZinedine Zidane won’t be holidaying in Manchester anytime soon.
All plucky little Manchester United wanted to do was to steal his two finest players this January, as they seek to bolster their attacking ranks ahead of a late surge to the Premier League title. But the follicly challenged Frenchman ruled out the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in one of his first press conferences as gaffer, absolutelyshattering United hearts.
All the talk had been of Ronaldo making a quite sensational mega-millions switch back to Old Trafford, with the Portuguese seemingly more likely to quit the Bernabau than his slightly underwhelming apprentice, Gareth Bale.
Indeed, one Madrid source even came out of the woodwork to say: “Out of Bale and Ronaldo, Ronaldo is the player expected to leave the club. Bale is still seen as the future, whereas Ronaldo’s best years may now be behind him.”
But it turns out the Madrid top brass have seemingly had a chance of heart, and that Ronaldo won’t be trading in La Liga for the Premier League anytime soon.
Said Zizou at his conference: “It's not just that (Ronaldo) isn't for sale, instead he's the heart and soul of this team. I laugh because as long as I'm here, he isn't going anywhere".
Of course, ‘as long as I’m here’ could translate to a mere 10 matches, but it certainly seems as though an unhappy Ronaldo won’t be slinking off on the cheap, which is the scenario United were angling for.