Bernd Schuster has revealed that Real Madrid were not prepared to pay Michael Ballack's agent a hefty fee or match his exorbitant wages at Chelsea.
The German coach was hoping to capture his compatriot to bolster his new look side at El Bernabeu, but the money involved put the Spanish club off from pursuing the deal.
Ballack's representative, Michael Becker, would have made a huge amount out of any transfer and that, coupled with the player's salary, scuppered Madrid's interest.
"The problem is that his agent earns as much as some players: £1million," he told AS.
"That, along with Ballack joining Chelsea on a free transfer and having a huge contract, meant that signing him was impossible."