Bayern Munich have once again claimed they cannot afford to sign Alexis Sanchez.
The German champions have had a strong interest in the Arsenal striker for some time, only for mixed messages to come out of the club during the last two months over their ability to land him.
Only last week Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claimed the club were prioritising younger signings.
Last weekend, however, boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed his interest in signing Sanchez, who has just a year left on his contract.
Manchester City are willing to match the £300,000-a-week package that the Gunners have offered the 28-year-old to stay.
But Bayern president Uli Hoeness has claimed the finances needed to prise him away would be for more than the Bavarians could manage.
He told German publication Kicker: “I'm not in the operational side. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has not yet come to me, so the matter doesn't seem to be too urgent with him.
“A €20m (£17.5m) salary is probably not feasible.”
It could yet pose a problem for Arsenal, however, with the Gunners determined not to surrender their prize asset to another Premier League club.
Hoeness comments come after boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted he is interested in the Chilean star.
But like his president, Ancelotti warned the club would not pay "crazy sums" to seal the deal.
Ancelotti said: “If an opportunity comes up, the club will be ready. Alexis is a great player but not the only one in the world.
“I believe that the market is currently somewhat crazy – and Bayern is not a crazy club."