Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray has distanced his club from a summer move for Stephen Ireland.
The Teessiders are being linked with the 26-year old Aston Villa midfielder but Mowbray suggests his Premier League wages may be too much for his club.
"I don't think there's anything to be said on that," Mowbray told The Gazette.
"I think you've got to put it in context. Stephen Ireland was at Manchester City not too long ago and he's with a Premier League club on a Premier League salary.
"I don't think he's gone on Villa's pre-season trip.
"I think with deals - whether it's Stephen Ireland or any Premier League player - clubs go through pre-season, assess their squads and then make decisions about footballers pretty late on."
