Real Betis president Angel Haro admits they pushed hard to sign PSG midfielder Giovani Lo Celso over the summer.
Indeed, Haro revealed the talks for Lo Celso led right up to deadline day.
He Radio Cope: "Lo Celso was our No1 option. We started chatting with him in June, but PSG only wanted a sale.
"So we could not reactivate this option before the end of the transfer window.
"We have a mandatory purchase option for Lo Celso if we qualify for the European Cup. If not, it will be optional."
Lo Celso is on a season-long loan at Betis.