redmaster
28-01-2007, 01:19 PM
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale at any price, according to the club's chief executive David Gill.
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid but Gill told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek that a £35m bid would be "turned down straightaway".
Gill added: "There has been no offer. Ronaldo signed a new contract in 2005 to stay with us until 2010.
"He is clearly someone we want to stay and we will make sure that he does."
Interview: Man Utd chief exec David Gill
Gill underlined that United's strategy is to strengthen their squad, not to sell any of their best players.
He stated: "The big clubs may talk in the papers but they fully understand our position. They know we are not a selling club of our prize assets so there is no way that will be sanctioned.
They are fully in support and they fully understand sport. They want to invest in talent, they don't want to sell our top talent
Man Utd chief executive David Gill on the Glazer family
"As I think Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said on many occasions, football clubs aren't banks - we are there to provide top-class entertainment and put out a top side.
"There is no point having £35m, £40m or £45m if we can't replace that talent. At 21, Ronaldo has had a great season and we believe the best is yet to come."
Gill said any offer would have to go to the club's owners, the Glazer family, for consideration - but is adamant it would be rejected.
"If I put it to them it would be a very short call," he explained. "If the manager says 'no sale' then they go along with it without a doubt.
"They are fully in support and they fully understand sport. They want to invest in talent, they don't want to sell our top talent."
The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Real Madrid but Gill told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek that a £35m bid would be "turned down straightaway".
Gill added: "There has been no offer. Ronaldo signed a new contract in 2005 to stay with us until 2010.
"He is clearly someone we want to stay and we will make sure that he does."
Interview: Man Utd chief exec David Gill
Gill underlined that United's strategy is to strengthen their squad, not to sell any of their best players.
He stated: "The big clubs may talk in the papers but they fully understand our position. They know we are not a selling club of our prize assets so there is no way that will be sanctioned.
They are fully in support and they fully understand sport. They want to invest in talent, they don't want to sell our top talent
Man Utd chief executive David Gill on the Glazer family
"As I think Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said on many occasions, football clubs aren't banks - we are there to provide top-class entertainment and put out a top side.
"There is no point having £35m, £40m or £45m if we can't replace that talent. At 21, Ronaldo has had a great season and we believe the best is yet to come."
Gill said any offer would have to go to the club's owners, the Glazer family, for consideration - but is adamant it would be rejected.
"If I put it to them it would be a very short call," he explained. "If the manager says 'no sale' then they go along with it without a doubt.
"They are fully in support and they fully understand sport. They want to invest in talent, they don't want to sell our top talent."