Peterborough full-back Adam Newton will not switch to Brentford after Posh director Barry Fry pulled the plug on the deal at the 11th hour.
The experienced 27-year-old had seemed set to become the next name on boss Andy Scott's list of targets to commit to the Bees next season after being transfer listed by the London Road outfit.
The Griffin Park manager had hoped to seal a deal for the former Leyton Orient man in January, but Newton became first choice at Posh when contract negotiations with regular right-back Claude Gnakpa stalled.
Gnakpa's subsequent departure this week has left Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson without cover at full-back, and with a year left on Newton's contract he is unlikely to be moved on cheaply.
And Scott admits the deal is dead for the time being, despite reports Newton was still interested in making the switch south to join the Bees.
"It has been an on-going thing since January," Scott said.
"We thought we were going to do the deal, but he finished the season as first choice and played a big role in Peterborough getting promoted.
"When the season ended we thought it was on again. From our point of view it was a done deal, but they do things differently there - which they are perfectly entitled to do.
"With Claude leaving this week the circumstances changed at the last minute."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article