RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Santos coach Muricy Ramalho admitted Friday the club is unlikely to sign former Wigan Athletic striker Marcelo Moreno from Brazilian rivals Gremio.

Santos made an approach for Moreno earlier this month having identified the Bolivian international as an ideal center forward to support Neymar, Lancenet reported.

But Ramalho conceded Moreno's high wage demands and the glut of foreign players already at Santos could stymie a possible deal for the 25-year-old.

"He is a great player but it will be difficult unless the conditions change," Ramalho said. "The fact he is a foreign player also complicates matters because we already have three. For that reason we are giving preference to a Brazilian centre forward."

Under Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF) rules, clubs can only select a maximum of three foreign players in any given match. Santos already have Argentine trio Walter Montillo, Ezequiel Miralles and Patricio Rodriguez in their squad.