AC Milan technical director Leonardo has said the club did not try to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio earlier this summer.
Reports had linked Serbia midfielder Milinkovic-Savic with a move to Milan but Leonardo, speaking at the presentation of Tiemoue Bakayoko, signed on loan from Chelsea, said that had not been a realistic proposition.
"There were never any negotiations with Lazio," he said. "I spoke with his agent because I've known him for years, but there were never any negotiations.
"We knew from the beginning that it was not something we could do because he has a huge price which does not fit within our parameters and those imposed by UEFA.
"We've brought in an inside midfielder anyway, and that's Bakayoko."
France international Bakayoko said he saw similarities between former Stamford Bridge boss Antonio Conte and Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso.
"They work with passion and I've also noticed these similarities in my first training sessions," he added. "I'm glad Milan called me to give me this opportunity."
But he resisted the idea of drawing parallels between new-look Milan and defending Serie A champions Juventus, saying: "Milan, in their history, have won more, but I don't like to compare the two.
"Juve are a great club, but I'm a Milan player now. I watched Serie A a lot and, even when I was in France, there was a lot of consideration for [Italian football]."