MANCHESTER UNITED have accepted an £ 80

million,

offer from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has long been a target for the Spanish giants, who signed Kaka for £62m on Monday.

Real president Florentino Perez vowed earlier this week to do "everything possible" to take the 24-year-old to the Bernabeu.

United insist they were forced to accept a world-record bid for Ronaldo after the winger revealed he wanted out of Old Trafford.

A Red Devils statement said: "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."

Ronaldo, on holiday in Los Angeles, told United boss Alex Ferguson that he wants to quit Old Trafford for the Bernabeu.

Ferguson flew out to Lisbon last summer to persuade Ronaldo to stay with the Red Devils after a summer in which the player pushed for a move to Madrid.

But Fergie will not go chasing the player this time - and feels it is time for his star player to go.

SunSport revealed before the Champions League final that Ronaldo had told close friends he wanted a new challenge.

The Portugal ace is now relishing the chance to be part of the revival at Real under returning club president Perez.