Here is a look at the quotes that resulted from Cristiano Ronaldo's imminent transfer from Manchester to Madrid.

"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid...United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player" - the statement that rocked the world of football yesterday morning.

"This deal is historic" - Ronaldo's predictably understated response.

"These transfers represent a serious challenge to the idea of fair play and the concept of financial balance in our competitions" - UEFA president Michel Platini was marginally less effusive.

"I think it's fantastic business. It was £40million, it was £50million, it was 60, now it's 80 and I think they should cut their hands off and run and don't even consider it at all" - former United boss Tommy Docherty thinks it's a good deal for his old employers.

"There is no figure to put on their head. It's just what the buying club can afford, and what the selling club think is a good deal. You've almost just got to pluck a figure from out of the air" - agent Barry Silkman believes it is impossible to pin down the value of players such as Ronaldo.

"Last season United decided not to do it because they thought it was too early and everyone agreed to do it this season" - former Madrid president Ramon Calderon insisted he laid the groundwork for the deal last summer.

"When you look at this deal you think football has gone absolutely mad. Something has to happen in this game because things can't go on like this" - Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was staggered by the size of the transfer.

"Real will be able to organise highlights of their La Liga games with Ronaldo playing in the all-white strip, and people in China and India will be watching them on their highly-specified wrist watches within a year" - football finance expert Joe McLean explains the rationale behind Madrid's bid.