Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says Florentino Perez almost blundered their deal for former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo. Calderon actually struck a deal worth £80 million for Ronaldo in 2007, but the three-time Ballon d'Or did not join Real until 2009 after promising Sir Alex Ferguson one more season at Old Trafford.
By that time, Calderon had left the club to be replaced by Perez.
"In July, when Florentino Pérez returned to be president everything was done. However, he balked at his signing and nearly wrecked it," Calderon recalled to El Confidencial.
"He questioned 'If it was too expensive, if he (Ronaldo) did have the profile for Real Madrid' ... This angered (agent) Jorge Mendes greatly, who was about to break the operation and even threatened to force the £30 million penalty that was agreed for the case that the signing was not done."
Calderon continued: "Then, everything was signed, but he (Perez) took ten days to inform United they would pay. (David) Gill called me and told me that Ferguson was angry and would only sell us a virus. Ferguson hates Real Madrid and he tried to prevent Cristiano coming. He offered him to Barcelona.
"But the £80 million was too much for Barcelona and Cristiano also insisted on going to Madrid."