FC Rostov midfielder Mathias Normann was left frustrated after being priced out of a move to England this summer.
VG says Fulham and Southampton had both considered the Norway international, but were left unimpressed by Rostov's asking price.
Instead, Saints went for Brest midfielder Ibrahima Diallo as an alternative, while Fulham were still in contact on deadline day before agreeing a late loan transfer for Chelsea ace Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Normann is a former Brighton player and has shone for Rostov and Norway over the last 18 months.
The ball-winning midfielder will hope to catch the eye of Premier League scouts ahead of the January market.
