Hull City manager Steve Bruce was bitterly disappointed at missing the "icing on the cake" signing of Shane Long from West Brom on transfer deadline day.
Long seemed to be on his way to the newly-promoted English Premier League side for a club record deal, only for the deal to break down at the last minute, leaving Bruce without the marquee signing that he was looking for.
"I'm obviously bitterly disappointed that we didn't get Shane Long," Bruce told reporters ahead of their Premier League game against fellow promoted side Cardiff.
"That would have been the icing on the cake in terms of the squad we're trying to get together. We thought at one stage we were really, really close.
"He left the headquarters of Ireland, he didn't get on a plane until 6.30 pm (BST), then I picked him up at Leeds Bradford Airport at 8.15pm for a medical at 9pm.
"It was being battered back and forward (between the clubs). I've seen that happen over days, weeks and months and I knew dialogue was going on, but we must have been there or thereabouts (on valuation) or why would they let him go on a plane?
"Why would he be doing a medical if there was no chance of it happening?
"But unfortunately it didn't happen. That's West Brom's prerogative, he's their player and they changed their mind for whatever reason.
"I'm sure Shane is as disappointed as anyone, stuck at our training ground, left high and dry effectively."
Bruce, however, admitted Hull could go back in January for Long if the opportunity presented itself.
"It would have been great for us if it happened, I'm a big admirer of the boy," he added.
"I've seen how disappointed he was, left the way he had been. That's football and you never know what will happen in the next three or four months but if he became available again of course I would be interested."
Hull, though, have been pretty busy this summer, bringing in 11 new faces to the squad, and Bruce admitted he doesn't have too many complaints regarding the club's transfer business.
"We can't complain," he said. "I was at training today and I said 'what a difference to 12 months ago' to the squad of players we have here.
"No disrespect to what has come before but that is when you recognize what the Premier League does. It forces you to bring in bigger and better players."
