RONALDO ROADSHOW RUMBLES ON

From the Mirror:

Barcelona are ready to sacrifice either Ronaldinho or Samuel Eto'o this summer - in order to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo that he will flower at the Nou Camp.

This week's massive bust-up between the Brazilian star and the Cameroonian striker has only confirmed the view of the Barca hierarchy that they cannot both be accommodated in the squad next term.

And while Real Madrid are also desperate to entice Ronaldo away from Old Trafford, the Catalan giants remain convinced they are in the box seat to get their man.

A club source said:

"The view of president Joan Laporta is that one of them will have to go to make Ronaldo want to come and at the moment that would probably be Ronaldinho."

Meanwhile Jose Reyes addresses the issue of Ronaldo joining Madrid:

"There has been talk of Cristiano Ronaldo coming to Spain and maybe to Real Madrid. You are talking about one of the Premiership's best players.

"I'd like to see the best players in the world join us and Cristiano is without question one who could a make a big difference to any team.

"I am nobody to recommend anyone to a club like this, but it is evident he is having a great season with United."

Elsewhere, in the Telegraph:

Real Madrid nearly signed Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003, just before he moved to Manchester United, it has been revealed.

Real are said to be keen on signing the Portuguese winger and must regret that they did not do so when they had the chance nearly four years ago.

Luis Martins, who was youth coach at Sporting Lisbon where he helped Ronaldo come through the ranks, recalls:

"I was in Madrid in 2003 to complete a coaching course, and, at the time, Real Madrid's coaches were already following Cristiano. I learnt that there was contact with Sporting to sign him and I recommended to them that they did so. I don't know why it didn't happen."