Leeds United target Alexandru Maxim does not want to play in the Championship next season, according to BILD.
The German news outlet claim the Stuttgart playmaker has no intention of playing in the second tier of English football even though his club are willing to sell him this summer.
BILD report that the newly promoted Bundesliga outfit are willing to offload the Romanian 26-year-old if their £2.6million asking price is met.
But it is said that Maxim does not want to drop down a division despite spending the 2016-17 season in the second tier of English football.
This comes after Romanian outlet Digi Sport claimed that the Championship giants are “very close” to securing the transfer of the 26-year-old, with negotiations at an advanced level.
BILD reported an update on Leeds’ pursuit on Monday for a player who has a fine track record for club and country.
“Leeds United wants Maxim, but the second [tier of the] English league is not an option for the dribbler,” according to BILD.
The playmaker, who often operates on the left wing, began the recently completed domestic season in the Stuttgart side but was in and out of the team from October onwards due to injury and dips in form.
Nevertheless, Maxim made 27 appearances in all competitions with a creditable return of five goals and seven assists.
The 27-times Romania international has an eyecatching record both in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 for Stuttgart, scoring 17 goals and supplying a highly impressive 35 assists from 131 matches for the club.
His record in the German top tier also stands out, with 91 games yielding 11 goals and 25 assists.
Leeds have already signed one player this summer in winger Hadi Sacko, who loan move from Sporting Lisbon was converted into a permanent transfer last week at a reported cost of £1.7million.