Real Madrid are still doing their best to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, according to coach Bernd Schuster.

The Primera Liga champions have been relentless in their pursuit of the Manchester United star all summer, despite his club's insistence that he is going nowhere.

Madrid appeared to have turned their interest elsewhere recently, switching their attention to Hamburg striker Rafael van der Vaart - who notably did not feature when the two teams met in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

However, while Schuster once again reiterated he is being kept in the dark over prospective transfers, he did admit that the club have not given up hope of luring Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.

"I'm not the person who can say anything about that," he said.

"But I do believe the club are working hard to get a solution.

"But we have to see.

"We knew it was going to be a very complicated matter, that it was not easy.

"It's not going to be easy for Ronaldo to come to Real Madrid.

"Do I still want to sign Ronaldo? What a question. Of course if you ask any football coach that question every single one of them would want Ronaldo.

"He is a great player. One of the best.

"Every coach has a lot of objectives and he is a player who would help you achieve those objectives."

Reports in Spain suggest Madrid are on the verge of signing Van der Vaart and that the Holland midfielder could be presented as early as Monday.

Schuster claims he is completely out of the loop as to how talks are progressing.

"I don't know," he said. "I don't have any information about that, I'm sorry.

"But yes, we are interested in that player."

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