Sevilla have confirmed their interest in Tottenham Hotspur’s Didier Zokora but fear any deal is doomed to fail on account of the Ivorian's Spurs pay-packet.
Tottenham’s dynamic midfielder would fit the bill perfectly for Sevilla as they bid to strengthen their midfield this summer, if it was not for his wage demands proving prohibitive to the Primera Liga team.
Sporting director Ramon Monchi confirmed: “We cannot enter into everything that has been reported, but we have the profile of the central midfielder that we want.
“Zokora is a great player but, from what we’ve seen, we won’t be able to pay him.”
Meanwhile, Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic has revealed that he rejected a move to Newcastle last summer.
“When you are going to a club you look at many things, not only the money. If you are going to be playing in the Champions League, what the city’s like, the project of the team...
“At Sevilla, I knew that things were going to keep working. Today, Newcastle are in the second division...”
Dragutinovic claims his intention is to remain at Sevilla but that has not stopped the defender speculating on interest.
He added: "There are four or five good options, two of the teams will be in the Champions League. There are also one or two [offers] from Spain.
“But I repeat that the clubs who are interested have to speak with Sevilla.”