Man U to get record 80 million pounds for Ronaldo from Real Madrid

LONDON - England Premier League champions Manchester United Thursday received a world-record and unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for striker Cristiano Ronaldo from Spanish football giants Real Madrid.

At Cristiano’s request, who has again expressed his desire to leave, and after discussion with the player’s representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player, a club statement said.

Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30.

The club said that it will not comment on the issue until further notice.

Earlier, the club had said that it would consider transferring the star Portuguese winger to the Spanish football giants for 85 million pounds.

Reports in Spain insisted that Manchester United CEO David Gill had quoted this figure to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

According to The Sun, Ronaldo, who is currently on holiday in Los Angeles, was asked to put in a transfer request and tell Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson that he wants to quit Old Trafford for The Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has told close friends that he wants a new challenge.

Real Madrid president Perez said he is ready to end what he called a “phony war” with Manchester United.

Having purchased Brazilian striker Kaka for a record 59 million pounds, The Telegraph quoted Perez as saying that Real are now on the brink of discussing with United precisely what it will take to secure the Portuguese winger”s services.

Speaking to Spanish public radio station RNE, Perez said: “I have not yet spoken to them (United) but I will do it in the coming days.

Real general director Jorge Valdano also described Ronaldo as a great professional and a great footballer, but added that his club is aware that the latter”s current contract at Old Trafford still has three years left to run.

Reports in Spain also said that Real Madrid has sent a medical team to California to assess Ronaldo’s fitness, but Manchester United has rubbished this. (ANI)