UEFA President Michel Platini has dubbed Manchester City’s £100m offer for Kaka “ridiculous” and urged clubs to end this big-spending culture.
Milan and the Brazilian turned down the bid, but for a while it was set to shatter the existing transfer record.
“Thinking that a player is worth £100m is ridiculous in social, football and economic terms,” blasted the UEFA chief and former Juventus star.
“I have a philosophy, one shared by 99 per cent of the people tied to football in Europe, that we have to do something to have transparency and equality in the rules.
“I am listening to financial experts on what we can do about this, but it’s not easy, because the rules are not the same in Germany, Italy or France.”
This is not the first time Platini has blasted Premier League clubs for their murky financial situations and huge debts, but it remains to be seen what UEFA can do to level the playing field.
“We need to change the system. We have many ideas, including a salary cap, but in general the clubs have to survive on their own income.
“This is not an English problem, but a European one, and I have to find a good system that allows everybody the ambition and the chance to win.”
One option on the table is to force clubs to have a percentage of homegrown players in their squads.
“City could have the best young players in Manchester, who can grow and become the new Kaka. They don’t need to spend £100m, because they have a fine youth system.”
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