Norwich City were serious about their bid for Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose.
The Daily Mail says Norwich boss Paul Lambert was alerted to the 32-year old's likely availability on a Bosman free transfer after his demand for a new two-year contract was rejected by Bayern bosses.
They were prepared, initially, to offer him only a further 12 months, and he looked set to leave after calling an end to talks and declaring he was ready to move abroad.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was first to react to the uncertainty after earmarking the 2006 World Cup Golden Boot winner as one of his summer targets, and Lambert soon joined the race.
Promised substantial backing by his Carrow Road bosses after a second successive promotion booked Norwich a Barclays Premier League place next season, ex-Borussia Dortmund midfielder Lambert hoped his Bundesliga connections might help him pull off an ambitious transfer sortie.
But he faces frustration after new Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes urged the club's hierarchy to find some common ground with the experienced frontrunner.
