Cologne have confirmed their interest in Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic but said the deal would be difficult financially.
Subotic, 27, announced at the weekend that he plans to leave Dortmund after falling down the pecking order following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel last year.
When asked by kicker about Cologne's potential interest, sporting director Michael Schmadtke said: "That's a consideration, but he's practically in another category."
Schmadtke appeared to be referring to the financial implications of the deal, and coach Peter Stoger told local newspaper Express: "I've not talked to him yet. Normally such players would not be affordable for us."
Subotic, who was strongly linked with Liverpool during the season, has two years remaining on his contract and kicker reports that Dortmund are seeking around €10 million, but Express said they could accept a bid between €5m and €7m.
The centre-back's wages present another issue, although the player had indicated at the weekend that he was focused on securing playing time, saying: "I don't want to earn my money on the bench."
Subotic has spent eight years at the Westfalenstadion and made 259 competitive appearances, but just 11 of those came after Tuchel replaced Jurgen Klopp as coach last summer.
If he were to join Cologne, he could play as part of a three-man defence, with Stoger adding: "If we were to play with this formation most of the time, four centre-backs would not exactly be abundant."
Frieder Gramm, the player's agent, was asked about the rumours by Express but said only: "No comment."