Tottenham Hotspur have been thwarted in their attempts to sign Gaston Ramirez and Hugo Lloris, while Croatia coach Igor Stimac believes it is just a matter of time before Luka Modric signs for Real Madrid.
Stimac expressed his disappointment at the lack of playing time for his star player, after new Spurs coach Andre Villas-Boas froze him out of the first team as a disciplinary measure.
Modric has been asked by Villas-Boas to train on his own with the Croatian playmaker pining for a move to Real for quite a while now, but the Spanish club have failed to meet the £40 million (62.3 million) asking price.
"I don't like the situation that he is in at all, he has not played any matches at all this summer," Stimac, who will give Modric his first game in the summer against Switzerland, told AS.
"He will end up signing for Madrid before the market shuts."
Spurs are preparing for life without Modric, with the North London club reportedly tabling a bid for former Arsenal target Yann M'Vila. However, their attempts at bringing in other players have hit a roadblock.
Lyon confirmed they had rejected a bid from Spurs for French international goalkeeper Lloris.
"Hugo wants to play at one of the best clubs in Europe," Lyon chairman, Jean-Michel Aulas, told the French radio station RMC. "This year there was an approach from Tottenham that was quickly rejected.
"If he absolutely wants to leave, we will look at the proposals but they must be consistent with what we want. If not, he will stay."
Spurs were also rebuffed in their move for Bologna forward Ramirez, according to the highly-rated player's agent. "The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, who offered €16 million (£12.6 million, $19.7 million)," Oscar Betancourt told Calciomercato. "But the deal didn't go through because Spurs offered too low a wage to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.
"Tottenham could raise their offer if they sell Modric and in that case the deal could be done, otherwise Ramirez will stay another year at Bologna.
"We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more."
Spurs are still struggling in the striker department, with Jermain Defoe the only recognized forward currently in their books. Tottenham have been left frustrated after a move for Emmanuel Adebayor, who enjoyed a highly successful loan spell with the club last season, reportedly broke down over the player's compensation demands with Manchester City. A move for Brazil and Internacional striker Leandro Damiao has also reportedly failed to materialize.
Meanwhile, after sealing the signing of Jack Rodwelll, City are looking to strengthen further and have been linked with another surprise move for free agent Royston Drenthe.
"We didn't expect this either, but they asked me about his numbers, how much he would cost salary-wise. There are also clubs from the Serie A and Turkish clubs interested and also Dinamo Kiev," Drenthe's agent told Goal.com.
"We have no complaints about the interest, but the most important thing is that Royston gets back on the pitch again.
"He prefers playing for a club in the Champions League, so City, Kiev and the Turkish big clubs have his favor at this moment."
West Ham United have also reportedly expressed their interest in the former Real Madrid and Everton player.
