Lou Macari has told Stoke City supporters to forget about the prospect of Javier Hernandez joining the club in the summer.
The Potters are one of a number of sides that have been linked with the Mexican, who is nearing the end of his season-long loan stint at Real Madrid from Manchester United.
However, having scored three goals in his last two outings for the European champions, former Stoke boss Macari has conceded that the 26-year-old is out of reach.
"A winning goal in the Champions' League for Real Madrid, followed by two more in La Liga on Sunday, will have bigger clubs eyeing him up when his loan expires and he returns to Manchester United," he told The Sentinel.
"Personally, I always thought he was out of reach - some £80,000-a-week out of reach - and I'd have needed medication if I'd ever bumped into him strolling around Trentham Gardens mulling over a move to the Britannia.
"He's shown this past week what a terrific goalscorer he can be if given the chance and I know that will make it all the more galling for Stoke fans when they now consider what might have been."
Meanwhile, when asked about his future, Hernandez conceded that he was unsure as to which club he would be playing for next term.
Liam Apicella
