AC Milan couldn't strike terms with Zenit St Petersburg for Axel Witsel on deadline day yesterday.
Gazzetta dello Sport says Milan and Zenit were locked in negotiations all day over a deal for Witsel.
But Milan's insistence on an initial loan arrangement scuppered the deal.
Zenit were insisting on a straight sale, though were prepared to loan Witsel to the Rossoneri with an automatic permanent option included.
But Milan refused to do business.