Bournemouth have fallen short with their second and final offer for Brentford centre-back Chris Mepham, according to a report.
The Cherries are understood to have had a £5.5m approach knocked back early on deadline day and returned with an improved £7m bid.
Sky Sports News claims that Eddie Howe was keen to bring in the 20-year-old after watching him up close earlier this month, but Championship side Brentford were unwilling to do business on both occasions.
Bees chief Matthew Benham sent out a cryptic tweet regarding Mepham's future on Wednesday afternoon, posting a Youtube link to The Byrds' 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere'.
Mepham, who came through the West London outfit's B team system, has been used 13 times so far this season.