Cristiano Ronaldo to join Real Madrid for £80m

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United said today the 24-year-old had again expressed his desire to leave after defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League Final last month. New Madrid president Florentino Perez had already spent £59m on Kaka on Monday and then expressed his intention to bring the striker from the Premier League.

Ronaldo is currently on holiday in Los Angeles where he is recovering from a minor back injury.

He missed Portugal's 0-0 draw with Estonia in Talinn last night and may need a hernia operation before the new season starts.

Last summer was dominated by speculation about the winger's future with United constantly denying that the player was for sale.

Former Madrid president Ramon Calderon openly courted Ronaldo, drawing stinging criticism from Sir Alex Ferguson, who last December claimed he would not sell Madrid "a virus".

But Ferguson has relented now when offered such a staggering amount of money. The club said today in a statement: "We have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

"At Cristiano's request — who has again expressed his desire to leave — and after discussion with his representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player. Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June.
The club will not comment until further notice."

Madrid confirmed the news in a brief statement and said: "The club hope to reach an agreement with the player in the next few days."

United will now target Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Wigan's Antonio Valencia as possible replacements for Ronaldo, who scored 118 goals for the club.