Well it has finally happened. Manchester United have accepted a world record offer of £80m from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from 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. Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30. The club will not comment until further notice.”
There had been reports that Madrid would have to pay a £26m penalty clause to Ronaldo as a consequence of an alleged “pre-contract” arrangement that had been agreed with the player’s representative Jorge Mendes, if the Spanish club did not sign him this summer.
British newspaper report sat that the transfer fee would be made available for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to invest in the transfer market. Combined with the usual £20-30m that United spend each season, that would mean that Fergie will have over £100m to strengthen his squad this off-season. Expect big name signings with Franck Ribery (£50m from Bayern Munich), Carlos Tevez (£25m) and Antonio Valencia (£10m from Wigan) expected to eat up most of that transfer budget.
It has been a huge week for Madrid with the signings of Kaka (£62m) and now Ronaldo (£80m). I believe that their first games for Madrid will be in Toronto on August 7th.
Real Madrid U.S. Schedule
August 7: Real Madrid v Toronto FC
August 9: Real Madrid v DC United
