Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has claimed that the Spanish giants remain interested in signing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
The Egypt international recently sparked fresh speculation regarding his future by hinting that he would be interested in joining one of Madrid or Barcelona.
Salah has enjoyed another impressive campaign in front of goal for Liverpool, scoring 24 times in 36 matches, and is under contract at Anfield until the end of 2022-23.
Calderon, who served as Madrid president between 2006 and 2009, believes that Los Blancos want to add Salah to their squad but may not be able to afford a move.
"He is a great player and a goalscorer," Calderon told OnTime Sports. "He helped Liverpool by giving his best, but I don't think they will let him go.
"It is expected that, if they were to think about it, they would only let him go for a lot of money. Salah is wanted, of course, by Real Madrid, but Liverpool would ask for a lot of money and, if that deal were to be completed, it would be crucial.
"He is a great player with fantastic potential, and any club wishes to acquire such talents, but for Real Madrid I do not think they have the financial means to sign Salah."
Salah leads the Premier League scoring charts this season with 17 goals, which is two more than next best Bruno Fernandes.