Albion target Nico Gonzalez is now expected to join Fiorentina.
Sources in Argentina said tonight a move to the Serie A side was close to completion.
The transfer fee is believed to be some way in excess of £20 million.
Albion were reported to have reached agreement with Stuttgart earlier this week for the versatile 23-year-old attacking player.
But it was no secret that the lure of Serie A and a club made famous in Argentina by iconic striker Gabriel Batistuta appealed strongly to Gonzalez.
He is also a friend and international colleague of two members of the current Viola squad.
There was no final confirmation that Albion’s hopes were completely over.
A report on TNT Sports Argentina said: “His sale to Fiorentina in Italy is virtually sealed apart from a few details.”
An Argus source at TyC Sports in Buenos Aires said the move was 90% complete.
Events of the last few days have at least revealed a strong desire by Albion to sign a new attacking threat.
They are known to be keen on Gonzalez’s less experienced compatriot Alan Velasco at Independiente.
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