Vladimir Smicer's agent has scuppered Lens' hopes of bringing the Czech Republic midfielder back to the Stade Felix-Bollaert from Liverpool.
Smicer spent three successful years at Lens before moving to Anfield in the summer of 1999, and Lens, who finished eighth in Ligue 1, were believed to be keen to take the playmaker back.
But his agent Pavel Paska claimed that Lens could not afford Smicer's wages. He said: "I think that the idea of Smicer moving to Lens is a rumour only."
Filed by Johnny Proby
