I Saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus

The word from the portugal camp is slightly worrying today, this story from The Guardian puts the most worrying aspect in this paragraph:

The double footballer of the year had stated on Saturday night that he would announce his decision "in two or three days" but journalists arriving at Portugal's Euro 2008 training base yesterday were informed that he would not speak to the media until Friday at the earliest. Instead, one of his associates briefed the Portuguese journalists that Ronaldo, as suspected, was hoping United would relent on their refusal to entertain the idea of negotiating a world-record transfer.

Not just equivocal words from Ronaldo but someone saying he wants to go. The Telegraph story holds out slightly more hope. In it the words of the "associate" are not so cast iron:

It is understood that one of his associates has told Portuguese journalists that he as made up his mind to leave United and that he hopes the club will back down on the previously hardline approach that they have adopted to his world-record transfer to the Spanish champions. [italics mine]

No direct knowledge of the words betrayed. The Mail offers us one more season:

Ronaldo knows that there are serious obstacles to overcome if he is to move this summer and that United will do everything they can to keep hold of him at least for another season.

He has also accepted that he may have to wait at least another year for his move to La Liga.

But - whether he leaves this summer or not - the fact is that the 23-year-old now has his heart set firmly on a move to Real.

It remains highly unlikely that Ronaldo will try to force a switch by officially asking for a transfer but United must now decide whether to hold their most saleable asset to his current £120,000-a-week contract or give in to Real's relentless pursuit of the player.

Last night, indications were that United's position had not changed, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson leaving for his annual break in France on the understanding that the Old Trafford board would not even consider selling the player.

Last week United threatened to report Real to UEFA for making illegal approaches to Ronaldo and chief executive David Gill has subsequently written to the Spanish club demanding that they drop their interest.

Nevertheless, United are becoming increasingly aware that Ronaldo's head has been turned and they now must face up to the grim fact that the Portugal forward wants to further his career in Spain.

Ronaldo's team of advisers have been hoping that United may bend to their demands for a new contract, something that the club has shown absolutely no intention of doing.

But even that would not persuade the player to remain at Old Trafford in the long term. The Madeira-born star feels that two league titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League title represent an adequate set of achievements in England and that he must eventually test himself in another league and in another environment.

Things are looking grim...