Injury reportedly hindered the chances of a January move for Nottingham Forest-linked Emmanuel Longelo.
The Reds were credited with an interest in the West Ham United left-back last month, with suggestions talks had been held.
They were not the only ones said to be keen on the 21-year-old, who came up through the ranks at the Premier League outfit.
But, according to The Athletic, Longelo suffered a back injury, which “hampered his chances of sealing a loan move” during the transfer window.
It is said Forest, Wycombe Wanderers, Ipswich Town and Peterborough United were the options on the table for the young defender.
The Reds brought in five players during January as boss Steve Cooper bolstered his squad ready for a promotion push in the remainder of the season.
Striker Keinan Davis, centre-back Steve Cook and full-back Richie Laryea arrived early in the window, with forward Sam Surridge and defender Jonathan Panzo joining on deadline day.
A number of players headed in the opposite direction in a bid to trim the head coach’s squad.
Jordi Osei-Tutu returned to parent club Arsenal, while Jayden Richardson, Tyrese Fornah, Carl Jenkinson, Jordan Wright, Lyle Taylor, Joao Carvalho, Rodrigo Ely and Mohamed Drager all moved on, either permanently or on loan.
Longelo has featured once for West Ham’s senior side this term, starting a Europa League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in December.
He has picked up game time with their Under-23s, though, including in the Football League Trophy.
