Real Madrid have attempted to negotiate a breakthrough with Real Sociedad over Asier Illarramendi.
Punto Pelota says late on Wednesday night, Jokin Aperribay (president of Real Sociedad) and Margarita Garay (representative of Illarramendi) spoke by telephone with Jose Angel Sanchez (Real Madrid general manager). Aperribay insisted on a price of €38 million for the midfielder, which Sanchez deemed too steep.
But the parties concluded the meeting with assurances they would soon try again.
There was enough confidence at Real Madrid that plans for a Monday signing ceremony had been discussed. But that has since been shelved.
The onus could fall on Illarramendi to make a transfer request to force Aperribay's hand.