Cardiff boss Steve Morison admits he was interested in a move for Sam Surridge but says his interest ended as soon as Stoke City wanted a permanent transfer.
The Bluebirds boss had been eager to bolster his attack ahead of the deadline and revealed he had asked the Potters about a switch for the forward.
But he says their interest ended as soon as it became clear Stoke only wanted a permanent deal and not a loan.
Forest then wrapped up a deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £2m and became one of two deadline day arrivals with Jonathan Panzo also arriving from Dijon.
"We made enquiries for a lot of people in different positions," Morison told Wales Online.
"It’s amazing how quickly people think you make an enquiry and then it’s a done deal. A heck of a lot goes on after that.
"People like to talk and push this stuff through to people.
"People who know me know that when I tell them something it’s about to happen.
"There were lots of names linked but we got the ones we wanted.
"We weren’t doing anything permanently. We asked about Surridge, we asked about a loan but they wanted a permanent.
"That was that done and we moved on. We were relaxed. I was still in bed by 10pm so I was happy!"
