Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has criticised the club's decision to sell his Spanish compatriot Esteban Granero and sign Michael Essien on loan this summer.

Granero joined Queens Park Rangers on a four-year contract, while Essien arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

"There are some things I can't understand in football and one of those is that Granero is leaving so that Essien can arrive," Guti tweeted. "Granero is a much better player and he is Spanish.

"Right now the best players are Spanish, and what happens is that you spend a lot more money if you buy foreigners, which annoys me greatly."

"It is my opinion," he added. "That does not mean I am right."

Guti, 35, is currently without a club.