Real Sociedad are unlikely to sign Manchester City striker Jo, according to club president Jokin Aperribay.

The Basque side are back in Spain's top flight following a three-year absence and had been hoping to boost their attack by bringing in the Brazilian forward.

But President Aperribay says a move is now unlikely.

"It's not a closed case but it's complicated for him to come to Real now and we are working on other alternatives because the possibilities of that negotiation being successful are very, very scarce," he said at a press conference to announce a sponsorship deal with Opel.

Manchester City signed Jo for £18 million. The Brazilian had found it difficult to establish himself in the City team and featured in just 6 games at the start of the 2008-09 season, scoring a single goal in nine games. He was then loaned to Everton, where after returning to Brazil without permission over the Christmas period, Everton manager David Moyes suspended him for a breach of conduct.

After his breach of conduct at Everton, he returned to Manchester City, and was loaned to Galatasaray on the very same day. He scored three goals in 13 appearances for the Turkish side.