Ancelotti bites back at Martino over Bale fee

The Italian says the Blaugrana boss does not yet grasp how European football works, after the Argentine labelled los Blancos' bid for the Welshman disrespectful

Carlo Ancelotti has claimed Gerardo Martino "does not understand European football" in light of comments made by the Barcelona boss in relation to Real Madrid's pursuit of Gareth Bale.

The Blancos are reportedly closing in on a record-breaking €100 million deal for the Tottenham Hotspur star, prompting the newly-appointed Blaugrana coach to take exception to the size of the fee, describing the numbers involved as demonstrating "lack of respect for the world we live in."

However, the former Paris Saint-Germain trainer has now hit back at Martino, suggesting the Argentine should examine his own club's activity in the transfer market before taking the moral high-ground.

"I didn't understand it," Ancelotti told reporters on Sunday. "He hasn't been here for long; he does not understand European football and does not understand how his own club works.

"Barcelona buy their players with money, too. It was certainly a strange thing to say."

The Bale deal is expected to be completed in the coming days but Ancelotti says he has not yet given any through to the Welshman's seemingly imminent arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I don't know where he [Bale] will play," the Champions League winner admitted. "I have other things on my mind at the moment. 

"He is not a Real Madrid player yet and I want to respect those [in my squad] who are prepared for the next match."

Ancelotti and Martino will face off in the first Clasico of the season on October 26.

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