Home
News
In Focus
Business
Metro
Nation
World
Sports
Feature
Opinion
View more »Opinion Columns
Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
Restaurants get off to a quick start thanks to game-changing policies
High service charges on event ticket refunds call for further regulation
Sunday
- Subscribe
Related News
Man U accepts record Real bid for Ronaldo
Source: Agencies |
June 12, 2009, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United has accepted a world record bid of 80 million pounds (US$131.7 million) from Real Madrid for Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
United, which fended off the Spanish club's interest in the World and European Player of the Year 12 months ago, has given the nine-time European champion the go-ahead to talk to the Portuguese.
"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," the club said. "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."
Real Madrid confirmed it had made an offer for Ronaldo. "The club expects to reach an agreement with the player in coming days," Real said in a statement.
Should Real complete the signing of the 24-year-old it would seal a remarkable double for the Spanish giant which snapped up Brazilian playmaker Kaka from Milan this week for a fee reported to be around 68 million euros.
Kaka was the first player to be signed since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency this month and Real Madrid appears intent on continuing its spending spree.
United has always rejected the advances of Real for its most prized asset, even threatening to report the club to FIFA last year. However, it now seemed resigned to losing Ronaldo, who has often said it would be his dream to play for Real, albeit for a staggering sum of money.
High-profile player
Ronaldo joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 as an 18-year-old following David Beckham's move to Real Madrid and quickly established himself as arguably the most high-profile player in the Premier League.
His goals have helped United win three consecutive Premier League titles as well as last year's Champions League when he scored in the final against Chelsea.
In the 2007-08 season he scored 42 goals which topped the previous club record for a midfielder held by George Best. Last season he managed 26 goals, taking his tally for United to 118 in 292 appearances.
In January he beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to win FIFA's World Player of the Year award, the first player from an English club to win it.
But, Ronaldo was viewed by some as a divisive influence at United, openly challenging Ferguson's authority.
In the last weeks of the season he angrily swiped at some TV equipment while shaking his head in clear annoyance when substituted against Manchester City. When he missed a shot against Wigan, he answered Ferguson back from the pitch while shrugging his shoulders.
United, which fended off the Spanish club's interest in the World and European Player of the Year 12 months ago, has given the nine-time European champion the go-ahead to talk to the Portuguese.
"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," the club said. "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."
Real Madrid confirmed it had made an offer for Ronaldo. "The club expects to reach an agreement with the player in coming days," Real said in a statement.
Should Real complete the signing of the 24-year-old it would seal a remarkable double for the Spanish giant which snapped up Brazilian playmaker Kaka from Milan this week for a fee reported to be around 68 million euros.
Kaka was the first player to be signed since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency this month and Real Madrid appears intent on continuing its spending spree.
United has always rejected the advances of Real for its most prized asset, even threatening to report the club to FIFA last year. However, it now seemed resigned to losing Ronaldo, who has often said it would be his dream to play for Real, albeit for a staggering sum of money.
High-profile player
Ronaldo joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 as an 18-year-old following David Beckham's move to Real Madrid and quickly established himself as arguably the most high-profile player in the Premier League.
His goals have helped United win three consecutive Premier League titles as well as last year's Champions League when he scored in the final against Chelsea.
In the 2007-08 season he scored 42 goals which topped the previous club record for a midfielder held by George Best. Last season he managed 26 goals, taking his tally for United to 118 in 292 appearances.
In January he beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to win FIFA's World Player of the Year award, the first player from an English club to win it.
But, Ronaldo was viewed by some as a divisive influence at United, openly challenging Ferguson's authority.
In the last weeks of the season he angrily swiped at some TV equipment while shaking his head in clear annoyance when substituted against Manchester City. When he missed a shot against Wigan, he answered Ferguson back from the pitch while shrugging his shoulders.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
