Manchester United vowed to block Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid after the Portugal winger stated his desire to advance his career by leaving Old Trafford.
Ronaldo said there was a "great" possibility that he will move to Real, and plans to give more details about the "dream" move over the weekend.
But United responded by issuing a statement Friday _ described on its Web site as a "defiant message" _ stressing that its prized asset won't be sold. It was an additional setback for Ronaldo, who also said he requires surgery on his right foot.
"Further to Friday's press speculation about where Cristiano Ronaldo's future lies, the club has moved to reiterate its stance on the matter: United are not listening to offers," United said.
Ronaldo implied that United would find it difficult to reject a windfall from Real, which would have to better the world record fee of US$65 million (now 41.9 million) it paid for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
"It is always difficult," Ronaldo said. "It is not only one person deciding, it is many people, but it can be a very good thing for everybody."
But almost four years remain on his United contract and manager Alex Ferguson has said the team's American owners, the Glazer family, would prefer to banish players like Ronaldo to the stands rather than sell them.
Article 15 of FIFA's regulations on the status and transfer of players could complicate the future situation. This states that "an established professional who has, in the course of the season, appeared in fewer than ten percent of the official matches in which his club has been involved may terminate his contract prematurely on the ground of sporting just cause."
Ronaldo has also risked starting a feud between Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari by disclosing that the Portugal coach, who takes charge at Chelsea on July 1, was the inspiration behind his transfer decision.
"It is a dream, a step forward," Ronaldo was quoted as saying Friday on Spanish journalist Guillem Balague's Web site. "For me it is a great opportunity, and as Scolari says, that train passes by only once, and we have to take advantage of it.
"That is why, he took advantage of his change, that opportunity, and other people have to take advantage of opportunities too."
Ronaldo hasn't spoken to Ferguson during the European Championship. The winger has no qualms about upsetting the Scot who comforted him in 2006 after being blamed for contributing to United teammate Wayne Rooney's sending off for England at the World Cup.
"I don't know what I have to say to (Ferguson), I have to say what I want and what I think," Ronaldo said after Portugal was knocked out of the Euro 2008 quarterfinals by Germany on Thursday night. "It is my decision. It is what I want.
"I am going to give my opinion in two days. I am going to say what I want, but things don't depend only on me, that is why we have to wait."
Ferguson has been infuriated by Real's persistent attempts to lure Ronaldo to the Spanish capital. But his official protests to FIFA were rejected, with football's governing body ruling that no regulations had been broken.
Ferguson is effectively in a standoff situation with Ronaldo, who again made no secret of his desire to play in La Liga.
"I will talk with Manchester and we will try to reach a deal," he said Thursday. "The possibilities to go to Madrid are great, but it doesn't depend on me."
The 23-year-old Ronaldo scored 42 goals in helping the Red Devils win the English and European titles last season and he will be relying on their medics to heal his right foot.
"I will be seen by the doctors of United in a couple of days," he said. "Then in three or four days I will be operated and then I will start the recuperation to get better soon.
"I have had for three months a problem on my foot. I have been playing with pain."
