Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is now expecting Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United next season.
The Spanish champions have spent the summer courting Ronaldo, who has previously admitted it is his 'dream' to play for Real.
Ronaldo has yet to announce his future and is due to undergo an ankle operation, which could sideline him for at least six weeks.
United are determined to fend off Real's interest in the Portuguese winger and even took the matter up with Fifa earlier in the summer.
Calderon has regularly stated his wish to sign Ronaldo, but has acknowledged United's stance that the 23-year-old is not for sale.
Still time
The Real supremo now appears to be resigned to missing out on a deal for the former Sporting Lisbon starlet this summer.
"Ronaldo has said he would like to play here, that it is a dream, that he would be excited to come to Real Madrid, but it is a desire of the player which can not be carried out without Manchester's agreement," Calderon told Marca.
"Manchester has to want it. Once they decide to sell him and communicate this, we can say we are talking about a possible transfer. But as of today that is not happening.
"Theoretically we still have time, there are still two months left until the end of August if Manchester gets in touch with Real Madrid and makes an offer."
Calderon added that the most probable outcome 'as of today' is that 'Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to play for Manchester United next year'.