Fulham may have felt like they had done enough to keep hold of talismanic striker Ross McCormack but could face a deadline day battle after Middlesbrough pulled out of a deal for Jordan Rhodes.
Boro have been linked with the striker over the past week or so but were unable to agree a deal with the west Londoners so turned their attention to the Blackburn striker.
However, they were unable to agree terms with the striker and have since pulled out of the deal, meaning they ponder a late bid for the Fulham striker.
A Middlesbrough club statement read: “The club can confirm that we have held talks with Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes over the weekend but have failed to agree terms.”
In pictures: Ross McCormack's season so far
Blackburn manager Paul Lambert said: “After a fee was agreed between the two clubs, Jordan asked to go and speak to Middlesbrough.
“This is the third window now where he has wanted to go and we felt it was right to give him that opportunity.
“After securing a good deal for the club, which would have enabled me to rebuild the squad, we allowed him to leave the team hotel on Friday night, but it appears that he could not agree personal terms with Middlesbrough.
“We had a terrific victory yesterday over Oxford United in the FA Cup, with some great performances by the players who came in, and we’ll continue to try and do that.”
Fulham, though, are unlikely to countenance any offers for their talismanic striker.
They are in 19th position in the Championship and can't sign anyone on a permanent transfer due to their embargo.
The Whites could receive close to £10million for the striker but they can only sign replacements on loan or on free transfers, meaning those funds can't be reinvested in the final hours of the window.
Fulham are set to confirm the £6m departure of Moussa Dembele to Tottenham, but the young striker will be loaned back to Craven Cottage for the rest of the season.
