Antonio Conte wanted a summer transfer budget of £100m to take the Tottenham manager's job, it has been revealed.
The Sun says negotiations over bringing the former Inter, Juventus and Chelsea boss to White Hart Lane had intensified over the last week, but ran into issues over Conte's concerns about Tottenham's ambitions.
Chairman Daniel Levy then pulled out of talks after Conte demanded - on top of a £15million-a-year salary - a staggering £100m transfer budget.
"As soon as Conte became available, we had a duty to speak with him," a senior Spurs source said.
"He is a fine coach with an excellent record.
"But Daniel felt his budgetary demands were not only unrealistic but also potentially damaging to our future."
Payments needed to cover the club's new stadium are weighing on Levy's plans.
The source added: "Daniel wants us to be successful more than anyone but not at the expense of the club itself.
"He knows any new manager is going to need money to improve the squad and he is certain to provide them with that.
"But there has to be a balance and it cannot leave the club in a perilous situation."
