Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid is edging closer after it emerged that the Spaniards will be tabling a bid this summer.

After months of gossip and speculation, the News of the World newspaper is claiming that the Spanish giants will definitely be making an attempt to sign the Manchester United star once the current season ends in May.

According to the tabloid, a bid of £100million is being prepared as the Bernabeu outfit once again attempt to lure the current World and European Footballer of the Year to the club.

Despite Ramon Calderon, who has been the principal pursuer of Ronaldo, being ousted from his position as Real president, his potential replacement, Florentina Perez, has already gone on record to say that the dynamic Red Devil - and Brazil ace Kaka - are his principal transfer targets, a declaration that only serves to add a degree of credence to the News of the World's claims.

"There is a cleverly conceived plan in place for Cristiano to join Real," a Spanish source told the paper.

"The reports that he is unhappy with the treatment he gets in England is part of it and will be used as a lever for him to get his dream move to Madrid.

"Of course, it will have to be achieved with United's approval but part of the strategy is to keep chipping away at their resistance until they give in."

Insiders are insistent that Madrid have already agreed a deal with United, Ronaldo and the player's agent Jorge Mendes. It is, however, a claim that the Old Trafford hierarchy have been at pains to deny.

But Calderon recently told a Spanish radio station that his legacy to the club was to have clinched Ronaldo's arrival this summer, a claim that has been backed by Ronaldo's international colleague and current Real defender Pepe.

"Cristiano wants to play in the Santiago Bernabeu," he said.

"I would love him to join Madrid. He has already said that he wants to come and I hope that next season he is with us."