Emery - Spartak Moscow can't afford Felipe Melo's wages

Spartak Moscow coach Unai Emery has rubbished reports suggesting that the club are interested in signing Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo, revealing that they are not in a financial position to meet the player's wage demands.

Melo had his heart set on joining Galatasaray on a permanent deal, having spent last season on loan at the Turk TeleKom Arena, but the Brazilian's agent revealed on Sunday that talks between the Istanbul outfit and Juve broke down.

Reports in Italy on Tuesday then claimed that Spartak Mosow had tabled an €8.5 million offer for the 29-year-old, but Emery insists this is not the case.

''It's a lie,'' the former Valencia boss told TuttoJuve.com. ''I absolutely deny the news of Spartak Moscow's interest in Felipe Melo. We cannot guarantee him a certain kind of wage.

''I know him well and I will say that is a good player, but if Spartak cannot afford his wages, the discussion ends there.

''Even if this was [Lionel] Messi, I'd like him, but I know that it is not feasible.''