Real Madrid bend the transfer rules

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has accused Real Madrid of ignoring rules when it wants to sign a new player.

Wenger said the Spanish powerhouse had sometimes made its interest known to the player before notifying his club, an approach which contravened world body Fifa's transfer regulations.

"The system is clear in world soccer and it should be the same for everyone. To make a signing, you have to first contact the club and then the player. And they (Madrid) sometimes, haven't worked like that," Wenger said in an interview with leading sports daily Marca, published yesterday .

Wenger almost lost key French international midfielder Patrick Vieira to Madrid in August in a deal which would have made Arsenal a reported £23m .

He said Vieira had first wanted to join the club but changed his mind "at the last minute".

"You get the impression Florentino Perez (Real's chairman) signs whoever he wants but in Vieira's case it didn't work out that way," Wenger said. "Patrick changed his mind without pressure from us or anyone else."

Asked about his reported rejection of Madrid's offer to become their coach, Wenger said: "It's not my style to reveal this type of private conversation."

"I believe when things happen like this they should be kept private."