Ronaldo the focus of attention

Ronaldo may have been missing for Inter Milan in their Champions League qualifying game at Sporting Lisbon, but he was still the focus of attention after the scoreless draw.

The Brazilian striker's desire to leave, a saga which has lasted for over a month now, has shown no signs of abating.

Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano previously ruled the Champions League winners out of the Ronaldo chase, but the deal is still on according to Spain's sports papers and the striker could be in Spain in the next seven days.

At issue is the transfer fee, and Inter's insistence that they receive £65million.

Madrid are believed to be offering France midfielder Claude Makelele in the deal but the Italians do not want players, only money.

Spanish reports today claim that Madrid are offering 45million euros - just over £30million.

The fact that Ronaldo would still be eligible for the Meringues in Europe is a possible indication that a transfer is indeed still on the cards.

How long will Inter allow the player to be a distraction? The fans have certainly made clear their desire to sell Ronaldo.

Signs which read "Ronaldo Ungrateful" greeted him on his return to the Inter training camp, referring to the club standing by the player during his last injury-plagued four years.

After last night's game, coach Hector Cuper was asked about the Brazilian.

"At this moment my mind is just on this two-legged clash with the Portuguese," he said.

"After the return leg on August 27, we will have time to resolve the Ronaldo case."

There have been rumours that Cuper and Ronaldo simply do not get along.

"The fact that it is said that I don't want him in the team because he's Brazilian and I'm Argentinian is completely silly," Cuper told www.inter.it.

"A lot has been said about this matter and in most cases mistakenly, but it's part of the game and we have to accept it.

"My wish is that this whole matter is resolved, neither in favour of Ronaldo nor Cuper, but only in favour of Inter, as it should be."