Ronaldo is set to be wearing the white shirt of Real Madrid next season

After months of speculation, Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo finally looks to be on his way to Real Madrid for a fee of £80m.

Despite Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson vehemently denying he would sell the Portuguese star to Madrid every time a rumour surfaced, Real president Florentino Perez has come up with an offer that was just too good to resist as he looks to assemble the "Galacticos" Mark II.

Here is a round-up of reactions to the potentially world record-breaking transfer:

"It's going to be a big event for Real Madrid - Ronaldo is going to add a lot to my club.

"Last season, Manchester United decided not to do it because they thought it was too early. Everyone involved in the operation agreed to do it this season. That is what I can say.

"I don't mind that I was unable to sign him during my presidency. I am a Real fan and I'm very happy. The most important thing is the club.

"Real are very well organised with a lot of income, and the new president [Perez] can now spend the money I made and saved.

"We needed to improve by one or two players, and that's what Perez has done by signing Kaka and Ronaldo."

"I want to congratulate Cristiano - this is a dream that had been there for a year, or at least since I've known him."

"Just like [former Portuguese internationals] Luis Figo and Rui Costa, Ronaldo is an example of a talented player, who through his past work coupled with the serious and rigorous preparation done at their clubs and with the federation, has allowed him to culminate his dream."

"Am I surprised (that Ronaldo is joining Real Madrid)? No, because I knew it would happen at some stage.

"We already knew that Real Madrid had a pre-contract agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo and that it was only a matter of time.

"I don't know exactly when that agreement was made, but I do know it was in place."

"These excessive transfers are happening almost every day. It is very puzzling at a time when football faces some of its worst ever financial challenges.

"These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fairplay and the concept of financial balance in our competitions."

"It sets a standard that so many clubs will be unable to compete with - and if you do try to compete (financially with Real Madrid) you are building massive volumes of debt.

"That's one of the reasons Manchester United couldn't refuse the bid - they were bought on the back of a leverage bid. They owe money and they've got interest to pay.

"Football isn't immune to the world's problems and, as such, is very vulnerable."

"I'm very happy because it is another Portuguese player who will be in Spanish football and I hope it's completed as soon as possible.

"The transfer will make history, but Real know Cristiano Ronaldo's potential well and the qualities he has to help the club perform."

"It's fantastic for the league because next year there will be so many stars.

"Madrid is reinforcing itself, spending a lot of money, but I prefer something that already works and that is a guarantee of titles and will definitely work next year."

"The most important thing for the team is to achieve a group mentality.

"I think Madrid need five signings. Most of them in attack, as that is Real Madrid's playing mentality."

"When you fall out with Sir Alex, whatever may be the reasons - David Beckham did it as well with the entourage he carried with him - they're on their way.

"You can't have this disharmony brought upon the players and the club every year and I think United - £80m - cut their hands off and give Real Madrid the problem of handling Ronaldo from now on in.

"Man United are the biggest club in the world: talk about Real Madrid and Barcelona. No, when you leave Man United you go downhill."

"Cristiano's departure is not impossible to fix.

"He will be missed but United have other players who can replace him."

"My reaction is disappointment more than anything because he's a great, great player - this situation of 'is he or isn't he?' has been going on for last 12 months. I honestly thought he'd stay there as long as the manager would but it hasn't worked out that way, he obviously wants to go.

"He's a great player - there's a lot of jealousy out there about great players and about Manchester United being successful so that comes into it, there's not many foreign players in England who don't do the occasional dive but he's a fantastic player.

"I never thought for one moment that he'd leave, I thought he might have stayed for another couple of years, it's a great disappointment."

"When you look at this deal, you think football has gone absolutely mad. For Ronaldo to be worth £80m is just staggering.

"Something has to happen in this game because things can't go on like this."

"Manchester United are a private company and like any other private company have to think about their financial considerations. We have no indication of how much of the £80m they might use to service the debt, but clearly servicing their debt is very important to them.

"Real Madrid's structure allows them to be much more ostentatious in terms of their spending. United are a private company, a profit-making organisation if they can, so there is an imperative to control costs while generating revenue.

"The debt is there, we are told they are controlling the debt, even so they have to pay some of the debt off on a regular basis.

"History will remember him very well in terms of his contribution as a footballer - he'll also be seen as petulant, egotistical and stubborn but he's been a wonderful player.

"We'll make a lot money out of him, the club is not going to die. When David Beckham left it was because the club wanted to sell him.

"I think Sir Alex Ferguson has been very clever, he has resources to replace Ronaldo and he doesn't see Madrid as a great threat - it's another stage in the history of Manchester United, we've got a brilliant manager, which is more important than a very talented winger."

"I don't think they can turn it down. The only problem the manager has got is to find someone to replace Cristiano, given the number of goals he has scored.

"When Ruud van Nistelrooy left, people said the manager did not know what he is doing but Ronaldo stepped up to the plate.

"Whether this might allow them to sign Carlos Tevez now and still have money left in the kitty to get other players... the manager will not have his head buried in the sand. He will be looking and scouring the market worldwide."

"We are calling upon the owners to make a statement of intent that all incoming transfer funds will be made available to Sir Alex Ferguson to allow the manager to strengthen the squad.

"With the expected £25-30m annual spend and other potential transfers (such as Fraizer Campbell) this should amount to at least £115m.

"There will be a spotlight shining on Manchester United transfer activity this summer to ensure the manager is given the resources he requires and that this money stays in the club."

"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.

"They are big businesses now and this type of money is around but we've got to make sure that there's a link and there's a sustainability for this because we don't want to see clubs go to the wall."

"Those amounts are neither understandable nor justifiable.

"These excesses will lead the sport to the wall... I ask for a European financial regulator."

"He's one of the most brilliant players in the world. I think people will be sad that he's lost to the game in England.

"At the same time, I know Sir Alex Ferguson well, and I know he'll have plans that will be rebuilding and renewing his team. And I would expect that Manchester United and English football will emerge not weaker, but emerge in a new way and probably stronger in the long run".

"Better off him going now than in a couple of weeks' time. It was always going to happen so I'm surprised at the shock that seems to be around."
westyvilla84

606: DEBATE Your reaction to Ronaldo's departure

"Ferguson doesn't make many mistakes (maybe Stam and van Nistlerooy leaving) so don't be surprised if they barely notice scuba-ron's departure."
MeTheDaddy

"Maybe he will be tested more in a stronger league where he isn't necessarily THE best player my a country mile."
vanhoward

"Good riddance! Can't say I'll miss him!"
LaneofPain

"That's all three of the best players in the world in Spain - Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi. La Liga is the best league in the world now."
Le Tiss 7 - retire the 7!

"I think Perez is about to kill Real Madrid ... no player is worth those sums, not even Kaka or Messi, not even them both, not even all three of them. Real Madrid will end up with nothing."
YigalP

"For another £20m we could buy Newcastle."
Dannyxtra

"I remember Cantona saying once that Sir Alex sells players once he feels that they no longer have the desire and motivation to play for the club. Motivation and desire is the key and I think Ronaldo's is wearing off."
mesmerizingmaverick

"Who remembers all the gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands when Becks went? Boy we suffered then eh? Oh! . . . No! . . . We didn't! We are Man United and are pound for pound still one of the best teams ever to grace a pitch with or without whassisname . . ."
Splendidgent

"I hope Madrid's kitman doesn't mind getting a tracksuit knocked out of his hand by a big whinging baby - honestly glad he's gone."
jordanuk90MUFC

"Thanks Ronaldo - I use to go and see Best, Law and Charlton etc and since them and say King Eric you have been wonderfull to watch. Good luck, but we as United will continue to move forward as we always have done."
GogMartin

"Finally.........thank God!! Can we all talk about something else now?"
JonnyQPR

"It's amazing how some fans deride Ronaldo for not showing more loyalty, yet have no issue with players who left their teams(teams which found them/made them) to come to OT..eg Berbatov, Rooney."
sportszombie

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