Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has hinted they pushed Daniel James to Fulham against his will.
James left Leeds on deadline day.
After defeat to Brentford, Marsch said: "It was clear if we needed to add something we needed to move something.
"I hate speaking about it that way because I love DJ and he gives everything to the group. When we tried about finding the balance in team, he was garnering the most interest.
"Only way we could go out and add a striker. Wish we did not have to do it. Discussed it weeks before the deadline about the possibility. Tough at the end because him and his family likes it here."