Ronaldo fee $131 million

LONDON – Manchester United accepted a world-record transfer offer for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid on Thursday, clearing the FIFA player of the year to negotiate terms with the Spanish club.

The Premier League champs said they received an unconditional offer of 80 million pounds, or $131 million, for the midfielder. Unlike last offseason, Manchester United is willing to allow the Portuguese star to join a major European rival.

It was the second major move for Real Madrid this week, following the acquisition of Brazilian star Kaka from AC Milan, which sold the 27-year-old midfielder for a transfer fee said to be 65 million euros, or $92 million.