Real Madrid have agreed in principle to a swap deal with Inter, with Ronaldo going back to his former Italian club and fellow striker Adriano going in the other direction, according to Cadena Ser radio.

Also according to Radio Marca, this could be facilitated by another swap deal involving the 'Meringues' - whose opening 0-0 draw with Villarreal earned them a resounding booing from their fans.

It would see them securing the services of Arsenal's Spanish international winger Jose Antonio Reyes, who stunned the club by saying he is homesick and never wants to play in England again, in exchange for out-of-favour Brazilian attacking midfielder Julio Baptista. Real would pay Euro3 million (HK$29.9 million) on top of that for Reyes.