Manchester United target Jadon Sancho seems certain to stay at Borussia Dortmund on transfer deadline day, while a deal for Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele is also unlikely.
United made England winger Sancho, 20, their number one transfer target.
Dortmund repeatedly said they would not sell once their own 10 August deadline for a deal passed.
United have not abandoned efforts to sign Dembele on loan but it is thought he would prefer a permanent move.
France international Dembele, 23, cost Barcelona up to £135.5m when he joined them from Borussia Dortmund three years ago.
However, injury and loss of form mean the player has failed to make the impact expected at the Nou Camp.
Something ‘ extraordinary’ needed for Sancho deal
Dortmund’s deadline for a Sancho deal was regarded as arbitrary by United and the Premier League club felt there was still a chance of completing the transfer.
There was no agreement over a fee though – and Dortmund’s stance has not changed.
BBC Sport understands that remains the case, meaning it would take something quite extraordinary for a transfer to be agreed at this late stage.
Meanwhile, defender Chris Smalling looks like he will be staying at Old Trafford.
The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Roma and has been training on his own since returning to Carrington at the start of pre-season.
It had been thought some kind of agreement might be reached for Smalling, who has two years left on his United contract, to return to the Italian capital.
However, nothing has materialised so far and unless the situation changes quickly, he will remain at United at least until January.
