Perez builds bridges with United

Real Madrid’s relationship with Manchester United is more important than signing Cristiano Ronaldo, according to club president Florentino Perez.

Madrid’s high-profile pursuit of United’s Portuguese winger appears to have been put on the backburner this summer as they attempt to sign AC Milan’s Brazilian superstar Kaka.

And Perez, who recently returned for a second stint as president at the Bernabeu, insists he would not pursue the club’s targets in a manner which could jeopardise his relationships with other top clubs.

“If one day there is a chance of [Ronaldo] playing for Real Madrid, that would be an honour for us,” he told The Times.

“But if I had to choose between the friendship with Manchester United and the signing of Ronaldo, I would choose the friendship.

“Plus, I have never said that Cristiano will arrive in June. That is an arrogant and false statement.”

He continued: “I shall be talking with [United manager Sir Alex] Ferguson and [chief executive] David Gill to build bridges.

“If we sign Kaka from Milan, I can assure you that we will still have a very good relationship with [vice president Adriano] Galliani.”