Real Madrid have reportedly abandoned hope of appointing Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager.
Pochettino was thought to be Madrid's number one choice to replace Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu following the Frenchman's shock resignation just five days after steering the club to a third successive Champions League title.
However, Sky Sports News reports that the Spanish giants have been put off by the prospect of trying to agree a deal with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Levy is renowned as a tricky negotiator and would likely demand a hefty fee to allow Pochettino to leave, having recently tied the Argentine down to a new five-year contract at the club.
Madrid's previous discussions with Spurs when signing Luka Modric and Gareth Bale have convinced them to give up on Pochettino after reports of a release clause in his new contract proved to be false.
The 13-time European champions are now expected to pursue other targets, including Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Barney Corkhill
