Reading FC missed out on the chance to sign winger Josh Bowler who signed for fellow League One side Blackpool.
The Royals had been interested in signing the 26-year-old midfielder and were keen to make a deal happen.
Bowler was contracted to Nottingham Forest throughout the summer before he and the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract which allowed him to join Blackpool as a free agent.
Bowler had a promising first spell with Blackpool where he netted nine times in 49 games before he was purchased by Forest.
However, he failed to make a single first-team appearance for Forest and was shipped out on five separate loan spells, including one at Blackpool.
Reading had expressed an interest in signing him to help bolster their squad, but he eventually opted to join Blackpool.
However, Reading manager Noel Hunt admitted that the club may still add to their team and are actively exploring the free agents market after the closure of the transfer window on Monday evening.