Real Madrid's capture of Brazilian star Kaka could be worth 100 million dollars a season in additional revenues to the Spanish club, according to sports business experts Weber Shandwick Sport.
According to the consultancy, the Brazilian playmaker's international profile will trigger a surge in shirt sales, sponsorship revenue, match ticket sales and boost Real's global fan base, in a manner reminiscent of David Beckham's impact during his 2003-07 spell in the Spanish capital.
The former AC Milan star will also increase Real's capacity to generate income from overseas tours.
Professor Simon Chadwick, who came up with the figures, believes signing Cristiano Ronaldo would add a further 75 million dollarsseason to Real's turnover.
Real claim that Beckham earned the club 600 million dollars in sales of shirts and other merchandise alone before his departure for LA Galaxy.
Chadwick said: "Kaka and Ronaldo can be viewed in the same bracket as Beckham when it comes to global commercial impact, if their image is controlled right and Real Madrid improve their results in the UEFA Champions League as a result of their arrival.
"Becks sold a million shirts in his first six months when he was just one of several 'galacticos' at Real, alongside the likes of Zidane, Raul and the Brazilian Ronaldo.
"Even if Real signed one or two of the other stars being mentioned, there would be a real focus on Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo's talents on the pitch, but also their brand off it. That will pay for their transfers several times over, even with a bumper salary package.
"In Ronaldo's case, with the Euro performing well against the pound, that potential transfer is offering far more value for money to Real Madrid than their reported courtship in summer 2007."