According to a report in today's Marca sports daily, Real Madrid are convinced that Cristiano Ronaldo will join them at the end of this season as a natural replacement for the departing David Beckham.

The report claims that the young Portuguese winger has already said "yes" to the Spanish club, although he must now convince Sir Alex Ferguson to release him from his current contract.

It is also reported that although Manchester Utd would be unlikely to accept an offer lower than €60 million, Real Madrid view the operation as both "profitable and viable."

Cristiano Ronaldo offered lifetime contract to stay at Man Utd
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, January 26, 2007

According to a report in the AS Spanish sports daily, Man Utd. manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is prepared to offer 21 year old Portuguese striker, Cristiano Ronaldo, whose current deal expires in 2010, an extended deal that would keep the 21 year old at the club until practically the end of his playing career.

The move comes amid growing speculation about interest from Real Madrid, who are looking around for replacements for David Beckham, who is not currently playing after the news broke of his move to Las Vegas at the end of the season, and Ronaldo, who is on the verge of a return to the Italian league.

The archive photo shows Ronaldo looking on as Wayne Rooney accidentally steps on Ricardo Carvalho during last summer's World Cup quarter final, an incident that led to Rooney's expulsion.

Ronaldo is still vilified by opposition fans whenever Man Utd. play away from home for firstly urging the referee to show the red card, and then winking at the bench after it was shown, although his 13 goals and excellent current form this season have gone a long way to winning over the home supporters, some of whom started a campaign for him to stay at the club after news of Real Madrid's interest broke.