Robbie Fowler's £7 million move to Manchester City collapsed yesterday after the club attempted to persuade Leeds to drop their price to £5 million, citing reservations over the player's fitness.
Fowler took this as a personal slight and called off the transfer, a decision that could cause irreparable damage to the relationship between the manager Kevin Keegan and his directors.
The consequences of the failed transfer for Leeds United could be just as damaging.
Paul Robinson, Jonathan Woodgate and Alan Smith are three players Leeds would not normally countenance selling. But, as of yesterday, all three are up for sale.
Keegan's mood will not be helped by the chain of events that precipitated the U-turn. City had agreed a £7 million deal with Leeds on Monday, of which £4.5 million was guaranteed - £2 million as a down payment, with £1.25 million instalments in July and next January.
City would pay Leeds £500,000 after Fowler's first 30 appearances, the same again after his 60th game, with a possible £1.5 million to come in performance-related fees.
However, as Keegan was informing supporters at an official dinner at Maine Road yesterday that Fowler had passed his medical and would make his debut at Newcastle tomorrow, the England striker was telling his agent George Scott that he was having serious reservations.
Fowler is said to have been appalled that several of City's directors appeared to have doubts about his long-term fitness and, as such, that the chairman David Bernstein had proposed restructuring the payment schedule.
Where it leaves Keegan's relationship with the board remains to be seen, although it is difficult to imagine he will be anything but furious about the club's role in the farce.
Brazil's World Cup winning midfielder Kleberson revealed last night that he is still hopeful of joining Leeds United. But Atletico Paranaense president Mario Celsa Petraglia insists the two clubs are "far from reaching agreement".
"I would very much like to join Leeds United," Kleberson said.
A possible war on Iraq may force a switch in venues for the upcoming World Youth Cup - March 25th to April 16th - from the United Arab Emirates to Japan, a Japanese football official said yesterday.
FIFA has asked Japan, which co-hosted the World Cup finals with South Korea last year, to consider the possibility, said Takeo Hirata, general secretary of the Japanese Football Association.
Leicester City have revealed that their FA Cup win over Bristol City has kept them afloat. It earned the debt-ridden club a trip to Wolves and the £50,000 from ticket sales for tomorrow week's tie has helped them to meet day-to-day expenses.
There had been fears that the players, who have already accepted a 25 per cent wage deferral, would not be paid this month.
Real Betis's midfielder Joey Gudjonsson is attracting the interest of Aston Villa, who are understood to have held talks with the Icelander who cost Betis £5 million two years ago, although any move is likely to be on a loan basis initially.
The Blackburn defender Stig Inge Bjornebye is recovering in hospital after emergency surgery which, according to Norway's national team doctor, only just saved his left foot from amputation.
In a five-hour operation on Saturday a blood vessel was taken from the player's underarm and used to bypass blocked arteries in the foot.
Sergei Rebrov passed his medical at Fulham yesterday and met the manager Jean Tigana but the striker is due to hold further talks with the club today about the length and conditions of his contract.
Fulham will be keen to finalise the deal as quickly as possible because Fenerbahce were desperately trying to hijack the deal last night.
West Ham have sold their out-of-favour striker Titi Camara to the Saudi Arabian club Al Ahly.
Ipswich have agreed a £1 million pay-off for Finidi George which will allow the Nigerian winger a free transfer from Portman Road.
Everton believe they are on the brink of clinching Wayne Rooney's signature on a long-term contract.
A third round of talks between the club and Rooney's new advisers from the ProActive agency were held yesterday and a deal seems close.
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has completed the signing of Dean Windass from Middlesbrough until the end of the season.
The Blades have agreed to pay the Premiership club £100,000 if they are promoted at the end of the campaign and Windass could re-sign for another year if things go well.
West Brom manager Gary Megson has four more transfer targets in his sights after completing the loan signing of PAOK Salonika defender Ifeanyi Udeze.
Megson is stepping up his bid to try and bring in Tottenham midfielder Tim Sherwood, Valencia striker Salva Ballesta, Nuremberg midfielder Tony Sanneh and former Spain defender Roberto Rios, who is a free agent after parting company with Athletic Bilbao.
Udeze, who played for Nigeria in the World Cup, has signed initially on loan until the end of the season despite a last-minute attempt by Birmingham to try and win his services.