City miss out on Mido

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has revealed a deal to sign Mido from Tottenham collapsed 30 minutes before the transfer window shut on Wednesday.

The City boss believed a deal with Mido was done but picked up the phone in his Eastlands office at 11.30pm on Wednesday night to be told the £4million transfer was off.

"There was a bit of toing and froing between 5pm and 11pm, but we were led to believe the deal was virtually agreed," he said. "Then we get a call at 11.30 to say Tottenham were pulling out. We were told it was Martin Jol's decision. But he is the manager of the club - that is what he is paid to do."

Pearce does not believe City were the only club to miss out on a confirmed target so close to the deadline, although that has done nothing to ease his disappointment.

Many Blues fans are annoyed that their club were unable to buy anyone, even though chairman John Wardle opened up his own wallet in the final few days of the window in an attempt to bring in more players.

"I am sure the fans will be disappointed; I know I am," said Pearce.

"We sat in the secretary's office at 1am, by which time we had hoped to have at least one or two more players through the door.

"We looked at a lot of things, and everything crossed our minds. But in the end it is very difficult to persuade clubs to sell their best players - and events conspired against us."