Hoffenheim boss Markus Babbel has dismissed suggestions that Dutch forward Ryan Babel is being sold for financial reasons.

The 25-year-old is reportedly closing in on a move to Serie A outfit Fiorentina following a disappointing spell in the Bundesliga.

Babel's agent, Winny Haatrecht, claimed in De Telegraaf that his client was being sold as he was nearing a clause in his contract that would require his wages to be doubled.

However, Babbel has revealed that his reasons are "sporting issues only".

"My decision is down to sporting issues only," the 39-year-old told Rhein Neckar Zeitung. "I don't care about what a player earns.

"When someone is better than the other it is his time to play - but that is not the case with Ryan.

"You can't be more honest with a player. I have told him several times what I expect from him."

Babel joined Hoffenheim from Liverpool in the January 2011 transfer window.