Toffees are demanding £6 million to part with the Croatian international.
Hamburg say they’ve been forced to abandon their pursuit of Everton striker Nikicia Jelavic because he is too expensive.
The Croatian international’s future at Goodison Park is up in the air just 18-months since his move from Rangers after new manager Roberto Martinez raided former club Wigan to sign striker Arouna Kone earlier this summer.
Kone is likely to be first choice under Martinez next season and Jelavic, who scored just seven times in the Premier League last term, has been strongly linked with a move away from Merseyside with Hamburg rumoured to be considering a bid to bring him to the Bundesliga.
However, it’s thought the Toffees are looking for £6 million to part with the 27-year-old and sporting director at the Imtech Arena, Oliver Kreuzer, admits the Red Shorts won’t be pursuing a deal
“It is still a fact we first have to sell a couple of players before we can dig into buying any new,” ESPN quote Kreuzer as telling Bild.
“And as far as I am concerned we will be unable to finance a deal with Everton FC for him [Jelavic].”
Jelavic scored 11 goals in 16 games after arriving at Everton in January 2012 but struggled to replicate that deadly form last season, managing to find the net just eight times in all competitions.
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