Burnley chief executive Lee Hoos admits the January market proved a steep learning curve.
The Lancashire Evening Telegraph says bids for midfielders Stuart Armstrong, Graham Dorrans and Henri Lansbury all failed.
"In the summer window people are out of contract so you have free agents and it is easier for deals to happen," said the Clarets chief executive.
"In January nobody tends to move unless there is someone else coming in, but in truth there weren't many deals done during the transfer window. It was a difficult one, a bit of an eye-opener."
