Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that his players have been unsettled by persistent rumours of financial problems at the club.

The Andalusian side allegedly owe 40% of their players wages, while it is understood that they have been reported to Uefa by Villarreal over an outstanding bill of €3.5m concerning the transfer of Santi Cazorla.

Additionally, Spanish sources suggested on Saturday evening that the club's Qatari owner, Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, is considering selling the club to an Albanian oil magnate.

Pellegrini says that is has been difficult to keep his players focused on preparing for the season.

He told AS: "We are focused on sporting matters, but when there are so many rumours it is obvious that the team is affected, especially considering we are not in Spain."

"We are trying to distance ourselves from that subject, the truth is that until we know for sure what is going on, it is best not to say anything.

"We will arrive in Spain on Tuesday and then we will see what we find."

Malaga are coming off a brilliant La Liga season, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.