OK, £100million for one footballer is crazy. But the way some people have been talking in recent days, you would think there had never been a big-money football transfer before.

We are very fortunate to be in a position where we have wealthy owners who are willing to back the club to the hilt.

And I can't help but wonder if some of the criticism levelled at City - from both inside and outside the game - is borne of jealousy.

In the past, only a handful of teams have had the resources to compete for the world's best players. We have now joined that group - and it's clear that some people don't like it.

Is City's bid to sign Kaka really any crazier than Real Madrid's £46m bid for Zinedine Zidane eight years ago? Or United's £27m signing of Wayne Rooney when he was still a teenager?

Is it any crazier than Newcastle's £15m signing of Alan Shearer in 1996? Or United's signing of Andy Cole for £7m in 1995?

Clubs have always been prepared to spend fortunes to attract the big-name players.

So while I can understand that the Kaka bid has shocked a few people, I would suggest that it's only indicative of spiralling transfer fees and wages generally.

Some commentators have also suggested that it's outrageous that Kaka should be offered £500,000 a week in wages.

I would suggest it is more surprising that no one bats an eyelid any more when players at the so-called big four clubs routinely pick up six-figure weekly salaries.

But that is the going rate for the best. If you look at the top players in tennis, golf and basketball, they are all multi-millionaires.

The other question that has been aimedat City regards what happens if the owners walk away.

I cannot see that happening. They are successful business people in this for the long term.

They are not going to throw millions at a football club and then just up sticks and leave.

Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi Group are just starting. And that's why the long-term future is bright for City - Kaka or no Kaka.

Gary Owen is at gtcmanagement.co.uk, for business energy savings.