Spain's vice premier savages Anelka transfer

The vice premier of Spain has slammed Real Madrid's summer purchase of French striker Nicolas Anelka.

Jose Maria Aznar was speaking to 'Marca' today and called the £23 million transfer fee that took Anelka to Real last August "absurd".

Aznar has been part of a government initiative to wipe out £80 million of debt owed by Real to various European banks. The special status granted to the club comes from the Spanish monarchy but the politician's anger at the Anelka deal indicates the misgivings felt by many in the government at the re-financing of Real if deals like the one struck to sign Anelka are the result.

Anelka has suffered intense criticism since his move from Arsenal in the summer but Real have yet to lose a league game in which the 20 year Franch star has played despite poor form this season.