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Perez: Ronaldo wants to stay at Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a move back to Manchester United © Getty Images

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reiterated to Marca that he is confident Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at the club.

Ronaldo, 28, has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu, with some reports suggesting a return to Manchester United could be on the cards.

However, Ronaldo said on Saturday "I know we will reach a deal", seemingly suggesting that he is to strike an agreement with his current club over extending his contract, which expires in 2015.

And Perez has expressed his confidence the Portugal international will remain in the Spanish capital, telling Marca: "I am going to be as clear as possible. My aim, Cristiano's aim, and the aim of all Real Madrid fans is that he carries on playing here for many years to come.

"When so many people want the same thing, then it usually turns out to be the case. I myself and Real Madrid both want that. The player, Cristiano Ronaldo, also wants that. Without a shadow of a doubt, that is what Cristiano wants too.

"We are always talking with him. If you are asking me if we've talked about money, then the answer is no because the time isn't right yet. That will have to wait until after he comes back from holiday."

Perez believes the speculation over Ronaldo's future has been exaggerated, as the forward still has two years remaining on his current terms.

"We want him and what is more we already have him," Perez added. "He has two years left on his contract. Anyone would think he was leaving tomorrow. What we would like is for him to stay even longer.

"The future of our project revolves around him. Teams always depend largely on one great player. At one time it was (Alfredo) Di Stefano, later on it was [Zinedine] Zidane. Now it is clear the focus is on Ronaldo. There is nothing better than having the best player in the world in your team.

"We believe Ronaldo will go down in the club's history as being on a par with Di Stefano."

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