Friday 1 February 2019 08:25, UK
Fulham failed in their Deadline Day move for Bordeaux defender Youssouf Sabaly, despite meeting the player's £12m release clause.
In their search for a right-back, the Cottagers activated the release of the 25-year-old but received no reply from Bordeaux.
Sky Sports News understands the deal collapsed, despite a successful medical and repeated efforts by Fulham to make contact over a four-hour period on Deadline Day.
Ligue 1 side Bordeaux failed to respond to any emails or phone calls from Fulham, so the deal could not proceed to be finalised.
It is understood that no deal sheet has been lodged with the Premier League and as such any potential move that had existed is now off.
Repercussions may now occur, as release clauses are contractual agreements stating that a club must release the player in question if a certain figure is met.
Sabaly may well have a claim against his employers for breach of contract, though the saga means Fulham's pursuit for a full-back came to an unsuccessful end.
Fulham did however secure one final signing, with the versatile Havard Nordtveit arriving on loan from Hoffenheim until the end of the season.
They return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
