Cristiano Ronaldo’s new contract: Let the talks commence

12 November 08 by Roy Banks

The representative of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes, raised the prospect of a new contract for the player with senior officials from Old Trafford on Monday. United managed to fend off intense interest from Real Madrid this year with many believing Ronaldo agreed to stay for one more year before being allowed to move on.

The opening of talks indicates that Ronaldo has certainly not drawn a line under his United career and is at least considering the possibility of spending the best part of it at Old Trafford. It is believed Mendes discussed the broad outline of plans to extend Ronaldo’s deal should he reject the future advances of Real Madrid.

Both Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill have admitted that next summer’s activities will be key in securing the long term future of Ronaldo and both will be extremely keen on the winger signing a new deal at the club; the sooner the better. Ronaldo is currently 18 months through a five year deal which means by the end of the 2009/10 campaign, he will be able to evoke FIFA’s article 17 (“the Webster ruling”) and buy out the final two years of his contract for somewhere in the region of £12 million. In essence, next summer really is crunch time. United cannot allow themselves to be in a position of losing the Portuguesa for only £12 million, so unless a new contract is agreed, it is very probable that the English and European champions would be prepared to do business over his future next summer.

Despite the potential risk, Alex Ferguson remains confident no such deal will happen. He said:

“Next summer will be a key element of his [Ronaldo's] contract situation because he will have three years left then.

“That’s comfortable enough because I think the big clubs will shy away from that [Webster ruling] because it could happen to them. I don’t think it will be an issue.”

I would like to share Sir Alex’s confidence but to dismiss any tactic by Real Madrid in the pursuit of Ronaldo would be naïve. If it takes article 17 to sign Ronaldo, Real Madrid will do it, and they won’t even hesitate.