It's looking like a case of what might have been for Birmingham City and George Puscas.
Blues were extensively linked with a move for the former Inter forward, before he opted to join Championship rivals Reading.
It is understood Pep Clotet was keen on the 23-year-old, who shone at this summer's U21 Championship.
There was even a belief that Blues were close to sealing a deal for a striker as the transfer window wound down.
Reading managed to sign the Romanian on deadline day and it looks to be shrewd business for the Royals.
He scored his first goal for the club in their EFL Cup opener in midweek, before taking centre stage in the Championship on Sunday.
Puscas scored two goals, including a stunning solo strike, for Reading as they thrashed recently relegated Cardiff City at The Madjeski Stadium.
That performance has left Blues fans, whose side managed only two goals in their opening three league games, wondering just how big of a blow not signing Puscas could prove to be.
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@9_Hendo: Get the feeling there will be a lot of tweets about George Puscas this season saying the same thing. "Wish we didnt miss out on him"
@DeweyBlu26: Xiandong Ren must be sitting at home really congratulating himself he didn’t waste the extra 1.5m and buy Puscas.
@JamesJV97: Why didn’t we sign Puscas, that’s the signing we needed so disappointing!
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@LeeW1875: Puscas.... say no more Blues
@Bluenose921: Puscas looks a player, exactly what we are missing up front
@BluessTalk: Morrison & Puscas have been superb for a Reading side who look brilliant. Ah Blues.
@ItsTaless: Ffs puscas we should of gave inter the 10mil
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@Dan_Floyd_5: Watching Puscas for reading today makes me realise it was the replacement for Adams we needed .... £8mil for him and now reading have arguably one of the best strikers in the league
@BluenoseDad: Puscas is scoring 20 goals this season, isn’t he
@Daggy_5: Glad we missed out on Puscas, he looks terrible
@Esmithy84: What a goal from Puscas. Thank god we didn’t buy him. #dongball does not involve shooting and scoring
