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Italian giants Inter are looking to insert an eye-watering release clause of £494m into the contract of Tottenham Hotspur target Marcelo Brozovic, according to CalcioMercato.
What's the word?
A quiet transfer window for Mauricio Pochettino coupled with the likely loss of Mousa Dembele at the end of his contract in the summer has led Tottenham to consider midfield targets ahead of January - but there is bad news for the Lilywhites.
Pochettino's side were reportedly keen on Inter's Marcelo Brozovic during the summer and may have been looking to revive their interest in the World Cup finalist when the January transfer window reopens but will now have to change their plans.
CalcioMercato states that Inter have opened talks regarding an extension for the 25-year-old Croatia international and a new deal will include a mammoth release clause of £494m for clubs outside of Italy, which would rule out a move to Spurs.
Should Spurs be disappointed?
Signing Brozovic as a replacement for Dembele and an addition to provide a huge boost to their midfield would have seen Pochettino's side issue a major statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League, particularly while they balance the financial logistics of their imminent stadium move.
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The concern regarding the move is that Spurs could be restricted in the transfer market in similar circumstances to North London rivals Arsenal a decade ago, who endured a period without trophies and one that saw key players offloaded.
Spurs will be desperate to prove they will not face similar struggles when they finally return to White Hart Lane and the best way to do that is to make a marquee signing for Pochettino. While Brozovic would have been an ideal fit, the Lilywhites will now need to look elsewhere.