Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says their bid to sign Andy Johnson failed because the striker did not want to move north.
Wigan were hoping to do a swap deal with Fulham that would have seen Hugo Rodallega move to Craven Cottage with Johnson and cash moving in the opposite direction.
It was initially reported that Wigan had snubbed the swap deal but Whelan has now revealed it was Johnson who scuppered the move.
"I've no idea why Johnson said no," Whelan revealed. "I think he didn't fancy coming north. It would have been a good deal for us, but that's football."
It was a quiet day for Latics as a deal for Adrian Mariappa from Watford also failed to materialise and the day got even worse with a 3-1 defeat away at Tottenham with leaves them rooted to the foot of the table.