Nick Cannon, the husband of pop superstar Mariah Carey, thinks that "American Idol" producers can't afford to pay his wife the possible asking price of $40 million to replace Jennifer Lopez on the singing competition show.

"I don't know if they can afford Mariah Carey. That's a lot of money. If they gave JLo $20 million, they might have to double that!" Cannon told TMZ.

The rumor mill has been running wild that Mariah Carey is being scouted to replace fellow pop diva Jennifer Lopez, who announced Friday that she is leaving Idol after two seasons as a judge. Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler has also confirmed that he will leave the show.

Cannon, who currently hosts "America's God Talent," deflected when asked if there are discussions with Carey about being a judge. "Everybody wanna talk to her," he answered coyly.

(Photo: Reuters/Joshua Robert)BET honoree musician Mariah Carey laughs with her husband Nick Cannon and their son Moroccan Scott Cannon at the BET Honors in Washington January 14, 2012.

(Photo: Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes)Musician Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon attend a photo call near the Eiffel Tower before their vow renewal ceremony in Paris April 27, 2012.