Tottenham have ended their interest in Roma starlet Nicolo Zaniolo because they cannot afford to buy his this summer, according to the Daily Star.
Spurs are long-term admirers of the Italy international and held talks over a swap deal involving Toby Alderweireld last summer.
But with Roma demanding £62million for their prized asset, Jose Mourinho will be forced to look elsewhere in his hunt for reinforcements.
Zaniolo could be sold this summer as Roma count the cost of the coronavirus crisis, but they want a big fee for the talented 20-year-old.
Mourinho is also said to be prioritising the signing of a defensive midfielder, rather than someone attack-minded like Zaniolo.
Inter Milan's Matias Vecino could be an option, with the 28-year-old Uruguayan rated at a much more affordable £18m.
Mourinho recently admitted that the transfer market was the last thing on the mind of those at Spurs and the summer would be 'different' to normal.
Asked what the next window would look like, the former Chelsea boss told Sky Sports' The Football Show: 'To be honest, I think in this moment it is the last thing we are thinking. There are no talks about it.
'In this moment, we think about safety, following every rule inside the training ground. We are trying to be perfect inside the club and we don't think about it.
'But you ask me and I am not going to run away. It's normal that we are going to have a different market.
'I don't see the world and especially the football world, ready for crazy numbers that we are used to and crazy investments that some clubs and leagues are used to doing.'