What they said

UEFA president Michel Platini: "These excessive transfers are happening almost every day. These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fair play and the concept of financial balance in our competitions. UEFA is working hard with clubs to set up a new set of rules as soon as is possible to clean up the system and give it a more solid, more transparent base. That is our top priority today."

French league chairman Frederic Thiriez: "Those amounts are neither understandable nor justifiable. Those excesses will lead the sport to the wall... I ask for a European financial regulator."

Former Real president Ramon Calderon: "I think it's going to be big event for Real Madrid, he is one of the best players in the world. He is going to help my former club get titles next season. Last season United decided not to do it because they thought it was too early and everyone agreed to do it this season. And I think it's okay for the player - he wanted to come, he said that many times - it's okay for Real Madrid and also for Manchester United, who will get a lot of money for the transfer."

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes: "This may well stimulate the market. There is a lot of money out there with some big clubs going to the market, so it could be an interesting time for everybody. It is a huge amount of money. The level of investment you need to allocate is huge, which is illustrated by the deals that have been done in the last few days. If you want to compete in that market you have to pay that money, although there is no indication we will be doing it in the near future."

Frank Stapleton: "It's a fair deal and I'm sure that money will be used very, very quickly. I think you have to go back historically, top players have left Manchester United and it has not diminished the team in any way. I think maybe the Champions League final opened Alex Ferguson's eyes to what he needs to do to stay on top in the Premier League and in Europe. Some fans will be upset, but others will say it's always been the way of the club not to stand in a player's way if he is unsettled and wants to move. It's an old saying: 'You don't keep an unhappy player.'"

Tommy Doherty: "I sit at home giggling when managers say a player is not available at any price. Every player has price and if a club is willing to pay that price he'll go. Sir Alex can't have disharmony brought on the players and club. For £80m, they should cut their hands off and let Real deal with the problem. You don't see Kaka every year wanting a transfer - he wanted to stay in Milan. I think Ronaldo has fallen out with Sir Alex a couple of times, because every year he's coming, he's going, he's staying, he's happy, he's not happy. Manchester United are the biggest club in the world and when you leave them you go downhill."

Arthur Albiston: "Cristiano might end up staying but I very much doubt it. Once the club have given him permission to speak to Real Madrid, I think that will be it and he will be on his way. It has not come as a great shock. There were a lot of rumours last season about him leaving. You do not want to hold on to a player who is not going to show total commitment to the club."

Paddy Crerand: "From a financial point of view its good business. It's something that's been bubbling over and most Manchester United supporters will have watched him playing this season and thought there was something wrong with him. But he's been a great player for United, no question. There's been a lot of talk about Valencia coming in from Wigan. I think there has been too much talk about that for it not to be true."

Lou Macari: "I thought there were problems when I saw the game against Wigan when he took a shot and as soon as he missed, it was almost as if he was looking at the dugout for a reaction from Sir Alex. Then at the press conference in Rome before the Barcelona game I thought he was quite evasive about lots of things, signs that if he got his wish he'd be off to Real Madrid. I think they'll go for Tevez now, and that will keep a lot of fans happy. Ronaldo has been a fantastic player for United but he's never really clicked with the fans. You can only take so much of him. No more please."

Mickey Thomas: "£80m is a lot of money for a player and I don't think they can turn that down. I'm sure Ferguson saw it coming and has a replacement lined up. They have moved on before; Cantona went, Beckham, Keane, and the club went from strength to strength. It was becoming a very unhealthy situation. I think the way Ronaldo was talking, he wanted to go and the fans were sick of him. I was sick of him. It's a big loss, but I really believe Fergie has someone in mind."

Peter Barnes: "He threw one or two tantrums towards coaching staff over the last 12 months. He was brought off a few times and didn't look too happy. I'm not too surprised, I thought he would end up going to Real Madrid. I'm looking from an ex-player and fan's point of view and think that footballers should act in the best interests of the club and the supporters. He is played wonderfully well and should abide by club rules. I don't think any one player is bigger than any club. The club comes first."

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe: "If a player wants to go you've got to let him go but it's great business for the club; they bought him for £12m and they've sold him now for £80m. We saw Madrid spend £59m on Kaka from AC Milan just recently and that's why we've written to the Premier League and to the Football Association - and we are concerned about the sustainability of the game."

Clayton Blackmore: "We need extra players with flair. Tevez is a fantastic player, hopefully he'll stay, and the manager will buy one or two more. There's a lot of great players. Valencia is very quick has scored some fantastic goals for Wigan, I wouldn't be surprised to see him at Old Trafford at the start of next season."

Tennis star Novak Djokovic: "You can look at it from an athlete's perspective or someone who earns 2,000 euros a month. In this crisis this is not the best way to show off how much money (the club) is willing to offer. It reflects on social life very quickly, psychologically. These are incredible amounts. There is another way of doing this. I am not saying he does or does not deserve it but the amount should not reach the media."