Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Real Madrid

Real Madrid finally got their man.  Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United for a record transfer fee of £80m to join Real Madrid joining recent signing Kaka.  The £80m breaks the record Real Madrid paid to AC Milan for Brazilian Kaka earlier this week £56m.

The move had been rumoured for over a year with Real Madrid usually promoting it in the press and Cristiano Ronaldo deflecting it continuously.  Finally the money just became too big for Manchester United and Ronaldo to turn down.  A really ridiculous offer in the grand scheme of world soccer and a move that definitely shifts the balance of power in Europe.  Where the heck is Real getting all this money to throw around?  We're talking well over $200 million US for Kaka and Ronaldo.

Manchester United issued the following statement:
''Manchester United 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 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.''