With cold water poured on rumours that Bristol City were in the mix for defender Dion Sanderson, it almost feels as though we are back to the drawing board.
Nigel Pearson has emphasised the desire to bring in a new face this month but was quick to remind supporters that their lack of finances make any new additions easier said than done.
January is already notoriously difficult at the best of times to bring in new arrivals, particularly with inflated price tags, and it is increasingly obvious City will need to offload a player or two before landing a new signing.
It hasn't stopped other Championship clubs from wheeling and dealing, with several deals in the offing across the division...
Patience pays off for Blackburn
Tony Mowbray's Blackburn Rovers are in advanced talks to sign long-term target Ryan Hedges, according to Sky Sports.
Blackburn were eager to sign the Aberdeen winger in the summer but were ultimately knocked back with a £500,000 approach.
With Hedges' contract expiring with the Scottish side in the summer, Aberdeen seemingly have no option but to cash in on their asset and he is expected to help Rovers with their promotion push.
Hedges has scored twice and assisted four in 15 Scottish Premiership appearances this season.
Stoke lead the pack for Villa starlet
Stoke are just one of a handful of Championship clubs ready to pounce for Aston Villa wonderkid Jaden Philogene-Bidace, writes Team Talk.
Boss Steven Gerrard has given the green light for the pacey forward to leave Villa Park after bringing in Philippe Coutinho.
"Almost every Championship promotion-chasing team", are in a transfer tug-of-war for Bidace, according to the report, but Gerrard is impressed with the way Michael O'Neill works with younger players.
Burnley monitoring Chris Basham
Central defender Chris Basham could be ready for one last hurrah in the Premier League with Burnley 'monitoring' his situation.
Mail Online reports Sheffield United's 33-year-old veteran could be an option with his contract expiring in six months' time.
Middlesbrough have also been tenuously linked but a switch to Sean Dyche's side appears more likely, particularly with increasing rumours of James Tarkowski's potential departure from Turf Moor.
Basham has been at Sheffield United since 2014 and has made 335 appearances for the club.
Brighton defender is hot property
A queue of clubs are ready to make a move for centre-back Haydon Roberts after Brighton sanctioned a potential loan switch.
Brighton & Hove Independent suggests Nottingham Forest, Swansea and Cardiff are all eyeing a switch this month.
Roberts is highly rated by Brighton chiefs but is behind the likes of Adam Webster, Dan Burn, Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy in the pecking order.
Danny Batth joins Sunderland
Stoke centre-back Danny Batth has swapped one red and white shirt for another after joining Sunderland.
The experienced former Wolves man has dropped down a division to help the Black Cats with their promotion push.
Sheffield Wednesday were also in keen but instead struck a deal for Preston North-End's Jordan Storey.
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