Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits the Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester City transfer is not for him to judge - but the German did aim a 'subtle' dig at the champions.
Having splashed out £100million on Jack Grealish earlier in the summer window, figures responsible for incomings and outgoings at the Etihad Stadium missed out on a follow-up pursuit for Harry Kane - prompting a quick rework for Pep Guardiola in terms of his ever-changing market plans.
Ultimately, it has led City to Manchester United great Ronaldo as the Portuguese sensation closes in a high-profile move from Juventus.
In an eye-catching window that has already seen Jadon Sancho and Romelu Lukaku return to the Premier League, could the stage be set for the grandest second act of the lot?
Speaking about Ronaldo during his pre-match press conference as Liverpool gear up to play Chelsea - and Lukaku - on Saturday afternoon, Klopp said: "I watch that like a supporter, I have no knowledge about it. But it's not about me to judge that. If other clubs can do things for this, it's not a business for the future. It's for now if it happens and that's how some clubs work. That's fine.
"Other clubs thought they needed to strengthen their offensive parts and had the resources to do it."
Having started his career with Sporting Lisbon, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo established himself as one of the best players in the world at Old Trafford.
Indeed, during his time with United, the 36-year-old scored 118 goals and laid on 69 assists over 292 games, before taking his dazzling career to even greater heights with La Liga giants Real Madrid.
Ronaldo has been a Juventus players since 2018 and has scored 109 times for his beloved Portugal.
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