Football: Ronaldo for Becks swap plan

A SWAP involving David Beckham going to Real Madrid and Ronaldo coming to Manchester United is being put together by sports manufacturers adidas and Nike.

United have put a minimum pounds 30m price tag on Beckham and the two giant companies are convinced they can help finance what would be the most sensational move in football.

Real Madrid made Beckham their prime summer target last week and although their interest has been described as highly speculative, German company adidas and American firm Nike are working together to make the move happen.

One option is to offer United cash plus Brazil's Ronaldo who is known to be unsettled at Real.

The two companies already have high stake investments in both clubs. Adidas produce Madrid's shirts and have Beckham as their star sponsored player.

Nike have Ronaldo on their books and are United's shirt sponsors. It makes sense for both companies to have their star clients wearing their best -selling shirts. Last night an insider at Nike confirmed they were keen to help negotiate the moves and are prepared to bankroll them to ensure they go through.

United could exchange Beckham for Ronaldo with both sides also pocketing as much as pounds 20m from the deal, financed by adidas and Nike who believe they would quickly get their money back from shirt and boot sales.

Ronaldo, who completed a pounds 31m move from Inter Milan last summer, has failed to settle in Spain and Beckham has already admitted he feels honoured by Madrid's interest - although he remains to be convinced that a move to Madrid would be the right one.

Manchester United won't comment on what they call speculation but they refused to rule out selling Beckham if the right offer came in.

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