Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce admits they've been left in the lurch after Atletico Madrid midfielder Peter Luccin rejected a move to St Andrews to agree terms with Real Zaragoza last night.

Bruce said: "The Luccin deal looks like it has drifted away unfortunately. That was the one we have been chasing all week.

"The player has decided to stay in Spain and it looks like he is going to go to Real Zaragoza which is a bit of a blow to us.

"I thought it was a done deal on Wednesday but it looks like he has chosen Real Zaragoza. That has been a disappointment because the three midfielders we have chased have not come here.

"We spent weeks on the Flamini one but he decided to stay with Arsenal, we know the problems we had with Ghaly and now we've missed out on Luccin.

"At this particular stage I don't think anything else will be happening before the window closes - unless something jumps out at me in the next few hours."