Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier does not expect to tie up a deal for Le Havre midfielder Gueida Fofana.
Villa were believed to be on the verge signing the teenager, currently skipper of the France U19 team, after the player reportedly held talks and underwent a medical in England earlier this week.
But Houllier has now admitted it is unlikely that Fofana will be joining the Midlands club during the January transfer windown.
The under-fire Villa boss said: “The Fofana deal is not done and I doubt it will be done.
“For the moment, an agreement has not been reached. He's got potential. He's a 19-year-old player, very mature, with a strong personality.
“He was captain of the France side that won the European Under 19 Championships.
“But I've also young players here already and you've got to have a balance in terms of wages and abilities.
“It's more likely not to happen.”