Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims Real Madrid's bid to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham for around 85 million pounds ($NZ156 million) would make a mockery of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.
Real are reported to be willing to pay a world record fee to lure Wales winger Bale from White Hart Lane, shattering the previous 80 million pounds mark the Spanish giants paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
But Wenger feels such a huge outlay would go completely against the new regulations from European football's governing body, which are aimed at making sure all clubs balance the books, while also curtailing the massive spending of teams like Manchester City and Paris Saint German who have been taken over by wealthy Middle East-based owners.
If Bale does leave Tottenham, it would be something of a boost for Arsenal, who were in direct competition with their north London rivals for a place in the Champions League last season.
But Wenger insists he would not like to see Bale quit the Premier League.