Schalke coach claims deal for Spurs midfielder unlikely

Lewis Holtby looks unlikely to return to Schalke after the German club's coach claimed they cannot afford to take the Tottenham midfielder back.

Holtby left Schalke for Spurs a year ago but has failed to hold down a regular starting berth at White Hart Lane.

The 23-year-old’s agent admitted last week that his client is keen to rejoin the Bundesliga club in a bid to boost his hopes of appearing for Germany at the World Cup in the summer.

But, while Schalke coach Jens Keller admits he would be interested in re-signing Holtby, he insists that until a player leaves there will be no room on the wage bill for the former Germany Under-21 captain.

"We can't really imagine such a transfer financially," Keller told Germany's Bild newspaper. "Talks have not yet reached an advanced stage."

Holtby is Keller's preferred choice to replace Jermaine Jones, but until the United States international finds another club Schalke have no leverage in the transfer market.

They have yet to receive a single enquiry for the 32-year-old, who chose not to travel to the club's winter training camp with a move expected this winter.

"Lewis has already played as a defensive midfielder under me," added Keller, whose side are into the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Real Madrid. "He can play there and is tactically very well-schooled."