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La Liga boss Javier Tebas has claimed the Premier League clubs aren't very good at spending in the transfer market - citing Manchester United's disaster with Antony as a clear example.

Tebas has long taken issue with the huge sums spent by England's top-flight sides, with the league often dwarfing their European counterparts when it comes to transfer investment. And he has once again referenced the continued poor recruitment decisions taken by English teams.

Antony is currently plying his trade for Real Betis, where he has impressed, but his return to form came after a shocking spell at Old Trafford. The Brazilian flopped after costing just shy of £90million, lasting only two and a half years before the club moved him on.

Despite their huge spend, the Premier League's elite were dealt reality checks in the Champions League this week. All six teams made it into the knockouts, but four were dumped out this week, three of those by Spanish teams.

Real Madrid beat Manchester City , Barcelona downed Newcastle and Atletico Madrid knocked out Tottenham . All of those victories came by hefty margins with a number of homegrown talents shining for Spanish sides.

Tebas was quizzed on whether La Liga teams are smarter in the market he said: "It's not me saying it, there are reports that say it. [The reports] say that the teams which are most effective in spending on players are Spanish. It is what it is.

"There are a lot of examples. Look at the case of Antony, the money he cost [ Manchester United , €95 million], and then what he cost Real Betis... How many players sign for Premier League clubs and then end up playing here? In my opinion, yes, [they're more efficient]. And the Spanish football model is more focused on academies. We don't need that spending."

La Liga recently released their financial figures, highlighting their increase in revenue, but also estimated figures of homegrown talent. Their analysis suggests they have nearly £400m more of quality than the Premier League.

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"Our teams are competitive, and I think they will be for many years," Tebas said. "We fight so that the clubs that don't play fair, the 'state clubs' [can't do so] and I'd like to get more support, because when we criticise it, we do so alone."

Among those he's calling out after City and Newcastle, with Tebas believing the Premier League's financial controls aren't enforced enough.

"I worry that spending controls aren't followed, that there isn't a financial rationale to the management," he said. "It's a worrying model, because it generates losses, and the clubs can only be saved if they qualify for European competitions, but it creates a debt bubble."

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