Celtic target Fares Ghedjemis will not be completing a move to the Hoops on deadline day after discussions fell through for the forward.
It has been confirmed that the offer made to Serie B club Frosinone was "well below" what they want for the player. They were ready for the departure of the winger, as they even started looking at replacements, but it's a familiar song for Celtic fans as the club fails to get another deal over the line due to finances.
Ghedjemis was named by the media as Martin O'Neill's top target, but the structure of the deal was always a difficulty. Frosinone wouldn't settle for less than £6.5 million, and they wanted a majority of the fee to be paid up front as well.
This season, Ghedjemis has scored eight times in all competitions and assisted twice in 23 appearances. Supporters were excited at the prospect of a new winger, but it seems they will have to be happy with other options.
£3 million winger set for permanent move
Joel Mvuka is all but confirmed to don the Hoops. It is being widely reported that there is now a medical going on, with a fee of £3 million being agreed with Lorient for the player.
Mvuka has failed to score or assist this season but already knows one of the Celtic players, as he was a teammate of Sebastian Tounekti at Bodø/Glimt. Although some are disappointed by the cheaper player, fans are willing to get behind their new player, as hopes are high that he can thrive at Parkhead.
On the striking front, Junior Adamu also has a medical booked for a loan deal. It is being reported that there will be an option to buy as part of the move, similar to that of Tomáš Čvančara.
Adamu has two goals in 18 appearances this season, but has versatility as he is capable of playing on both wings as well as up front. Since joining Freiburg, he has scored seven goals in 67 appearances.
Deals falling through - why?
The Ghedjemis move falling through is just one of many this window. The question on everyone's lips is why?
Supporters believe that it is down to the board being unwilling to splash the cash. It's public knowledge that Celtic had £77.3 million sitting in the bank ahead of the transfer window, and seeing cheap permanent deals and loan moves understandably disappointed fans.
Some have noted that this would usually be considered a good transfer window, but because of the disastrous one in the summer, this is being considered in a harsher light. There was an expectation that Celtic would make major moves in an attempt to keep their title hopes alive, but it's the general consensus that they have failed to do that.
The board being unwilling to pay for Ghedjemis was awful news, especially when they quickly opted for the cheaper option in Mvuka. Others believe that this may have actually been a good thing, as the player appears to be out of contract soon, albeit he does have a clause that would allow his club to extend for another year.
Nonetheless, this is a pattern that is hard to ignore. Lowballing, despite having plenty of money to spend.