Brazilian giants Corinthians have set a release clause of $10.6million for Ronaldo.
The 32-year-old has arrived at the Sao Paulo club for one year as a free agent, and Corinthians clearly intend to make it difficult for anyone to tempt him away in that time.
Director of marketing Luis Paulo Rosenberg said: ''Corinthians are protected.
''We already thought about him leaving the club. We have paid nothing to sign him and would receive 25million reais if he quits.
''It would be the best business in the history of the club.''
Rosenberg is sure Ronaldo will not leave Corinthians before December 31, 2010 - even though the release figure is not insurmountable for the richest European clubs.
''There is no chance for Ronaldo to quit. The world is running out of money.''
Rosenberg also cited previous interest from Manchester City - although his recollection that the Barclays Premier League club made an offer is at odds with word from Eastlands last summer, when they reported they eventually chose not to pursue the player.
''He has recently had an offer from Manchester City but preferred playing here,'' said Rosenberg, who added all the agreements signed with the companies interested in using the image of Ronaldo will also have a compensation clause if the one-year contracts are broken.
''If Ronaldo wants to quit and the company also want to, it will not be that simple,'' he explained.
''Everything will have a clause. There might be an interest in the player, but the shirt is Corinthians.''
