Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has ended his interest in Mauro Camoranesi and admits he has missed out on Moussa Dembele.
McLeish had been hoping to land Juventus and Italy defender Camoranesi, 33, and AZ Alkmaar striker Dembele, 23, before the Premier League opener against Sunderland on Saturday.
However, the Scot confirmed: “I have always been a big admirer (of Camoranesi) but negotiations became protracted and I had a further think.
“I decided it was not quite the way forward for Birmingham at this time.
“Dembele has other options and he is choosing another option. His representative told me that.
“It’s a blow because we have worked hard on that one – but that’s life.”