THE final transfer deadline of this season will pass at 5pm today - and it looks certain Cardiff City will not be able to strengthen their squad.
The Bluebirds were in talks with two Premiership clubs about strikers yesterday, but the loan market is a changing place these days.
Manager Dave Jones watched a striker in reserve team action this week and then Cardiff enquired about his availability on loan.
They also asked about a forward with another club.
Both, though, demanded around half a million pounds in a loan fee - and that with only eight League matches left!
Then the Rowan Vine factor kicked in. Remember last season when Cardiff City agreed a fee of £1.3m for Vine with Luton Town - and then promotion-chasing Birmingham City charged in with a £3m offer.
Did Birmingham make their bid just to stop Cardiff signing Vine?
It looked ridiculous at the time and still looks a ridiculous offer. Vine joined Birmingham and has now, of course, moved on.
It's happening again with some of the Championship clubs who have money moving in to make offers for players to stop rivals getting them.
Both players Cardiff moved for this week where immediately targets for leading Championship clubs.
There was a time when loans were fairly simple. If a player needed games he was sent out on loan.
Sadly, the loan market is now far too complicated.
What's your view? Do you feel Cardiff could have signed a striker? Is there a player you feel they should have gone for?
They tried hard for Michael Chopra and Robert Earnshaw, but were turned down by respective clubs Sunderland and Derby County.