Norwich City reportedly saw potential moves for midfielders Graham Dorrans and Craig Noone collapse in the final hours of the transfer window.
The Canaries outbid Premier League club Burnley for West Bromwich Albion's Dorrans, who was in East Anglia on deadline day evening to complete the switch.
However, complications arose when the Baggies wanted Swedish left-back Marcus Olsson in exchange and the swap could not get over the line in time.
Norwich manager Alex Neil was also interested in Cardiff City winger Noone, but withdrew a £2m offer when it became clear that logistics made a late deal impossible, according to Sky Sports News.
The Championship side did bring in one player on deadline day as Neil reunited with midfielder Tony Andreu from former club Hamilton Academical.