Manchester United Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (AFP Photo / Leon Neal)
Man U gives green light to Cristiano Ronaldo transfer
Published 11 June, 2009, 15:22
Manchester United have finally given Real Madrid permission to hold negotiations with Cristiano Ronaldo after receiving a world-record unconditional offer of £ 80 million.
“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 statement on Man United’s website said.
Ronaldo is set to travel to Madrid soon for talks and medical examination.
The final decision on the 2008 World Player of the Year’s destiny is to be announced on June 30. Manchester United will not comment on the issue “until further notice”.
The Portuguese winger has expressed his desire to transfer since 2007, but United refused to let their key player go.
Cristiano joined the Manchester side from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 for £12.24 million. He played 292 matches for the Red Devils since then and scored 118 goals. The 24-year-old led the club to three Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League triumph in 2007/08.
If Ronaldo moves to Madrid he’ll become the second summer super-signing for Real’s new-old president Florentino Pérez, who has already signed Milan’s Kaka. Real's other targets are striker David Villa from Valencia and Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery.
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