Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi revealed new Manchester United signing Angel Di Maria wanted to join the reining French champions.
The Argentina international joined the Red Devils for a reported fee of £59.7m but the French side made a move for the 26-year-old during the summer transfer window.
"For two or three weeks I discussed this issue with my friend Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid," Al-Khelaifi is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"We met twice, we made an offer, but we did not agree on the price.
"For me it was too expensive. It has nothing to do with Financial Fair Play. The player wanted to come to Paris, but this was not possible."
Together with Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain are facing sanctions after breaching UEFA's financial fair play rules but the president insists rules should be changed.
"We want to respect the rules of UEFA," the president added.
"But we must discuss it again in October with them to try to change the rules.
"This is very important because Financial Fair Play is not fair.
"It is sometimes difficult to understand, but in the end, the big clubs are big clubs and small clubs remain small. It not only represents the interests of PSG.
"If new investors can not invest in football, they will invest in Formula One."
