Real Madrid say no problems with Arsenal over Anelka fee
Real Madrid denied a newspaper report on Thursday that they had fallen behind on payments to Arsenal for their former player Nicolas Anelka, saying a new schedule had been agreed between the clubs.
Real Madrid denied a newspaper report on Thursday that they had fallen behind on payments to Arsenal for their former player Nicolas Anelka, saying a new schedule had been agreed between the clubs.
Real signed French striker Anelka two years ago from the English premier league side for a fee of $35 million, payable in instalments, and sold him 12 months later to Paris St Germain for around $31 million.
A report in British newspaper The Daily Telegraph quoted Arsenal's annual report for 2000/2001 as saying the club had not received the expected 4 million pounds ($5.80 million) payment last year.
Note 12 of the annual report disclosed to shareholders reads: 'Real Madrid FC have not paid in accordance with the terms of the agreement with them and if they continue not to conform, this will cause 8 million pounds of the debt to be recovered in more than one year.'
Real Madrid denied there was any problem, explaining that a new payments schedule had been agreed following the player's transfer from the club last year.
"A payment schedule was agreed when the player signed for Real Madrid but that was modified when he moved (to Paris St Germain)," a Real spokeswoman told Reuters.
"Real Madrid will of course make all the payments due. There is no problem with Arsenal."
Arsenal, who signed Anelka as a teenager for 500,000 pounds from Paris St Germain, declined to comment on Thursday.
A club spokeswoman said: "We do not discuss players' contracts, whether it is in terms of their length or any financial implications."
Real president Florentino Perez admitted last season the Spanish club were in urgent need of almost $325 million to clear the club's debt of $250 million and meet their immediate financial commitments.
The deal to sell the club's training complex to the north of the city, agreed in May, is expected to net the club close to $400 million.
Real were able to spend over $66 million to bring in Zinedine Zidane over the summer and Perez has said he expects Real Madrid to balance the books this season.