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."