Jorge Valdano claims Real Madrid are in discussions to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish giants took their interest in the Manchester United forward to almost-obsessive levels last summer, but they had to accept defeat when Sir Alex Ferguson refused to sell.

However, it has been suggested that an unusual agreement was reached which would allow Real to sign him for £75million this year, or pay a default payment of £26million not to.

Valdano, the general director of the Bernabeu side, now claims that the Liga side are in discussions to sign Ronaldo, who has never hidden his admiration for the club.

"I can't answer any questions about him," Valdano told TVE. "I can only talk about players who are on their way here, not about those we are in negotiations over.”