Matty Fryatt is ready to leave Hull City for a Championship club in the loan transfer window - but only if his long-term future can be sorted out. Today's Nottingham Evening Post says it believes the Tigers striker rejected a deadline day move to Forest because he would prefer a permanent deal rather than a temporary move.
Fryatt - along with Nick Proschwitz and Aaron Mclean - will be weighing up the best route out of Hull City's shadows, conscious that manager Steve Bruce has shown no regard for sentiment. While the failed attempt to sign Shane Long on deadline day leaves the door slightly ajar at City, Fryatt is likely to remain a fringe player at the KC.
The NEP says a loan deal for the former Leicester hitman could yet be resurrected, if Nottingham Forest are willing to turn it into a permanent move in January. Forest are keen to strengthen their squad and put in unsuccessful bids for several players on deadline day including Wolves winger Bakary Sako, Middlesbrough midfielder Grant Leadbitter and Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt.
Owner Fawaz Al Hasawi has pledged he will resume the search for signings. He said: "We will now turn our attention to the loan market before having another major push in the January transfer window."'Fuming' Bruce left with '£10,000 bill' over Shane Long
Stoke striker Jon Walters says his Ireland teammates Robbie Brady and Paul McShane are "gutted" Shane Long has not joined them at Hull City. Walters, preparing with the Republic's squad for two crucial World Cup qualifiers, was reflecting on a dramatic transfer deadline day.
He said: "I think a lot of West Brom fans would have been unhappy if (Shane) had gone. The Hull lads are a bit gutted they didn't get him, but he's at West Brom and he's had a really good couple of years there and I don't expect any different from him next year."
The Daily Mail says Steve Bruce is "fuming" over the breakdown of the move and claims he has been left with a £10,000 bill after organising a private plane to ferry the striker from the Irish capital to Leeds/Bradford airport, from where he was taken to Hull's training ground.
Meanwhile, today's Telegraph says West Brom boss Steve Clarke will press for contract talks with Long to be stepped up this month in an attempt to secure the striker's future at the Hawthorns. Negotiations with the 26-year-old are believed to have stalled, a situation that promoted Long's flight to East Yorkshire on Monday. Clarke wants to retain Long's services, despite now having an abundance of talent up front after signing Stephane Sessegnon and Victor Anichebe, and is happy to welcome the former Reading man back.
Walters quotes offer some insight into what might have gone through Clarke's mind on Monday evening.
"It would have been madness for West Brom to let him go. Maybe it's not what the manager wanted. Shane is happy. There's no problem with him at all. Back to the same old Shane today."Nicklas Bendtner: Agreement was reached with clubs
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner says agreement for a transfer "was reached with more than one club this week", before Arsenal pulled the plug after failing to strengthen in attack. Hull City were strongly linked with Bendtner last week and on deadline day.
In a statement released by the player's representatives, International Football Management, Bendtner said: "It is no secret that Arsenal and myself had agreed that I could leave the club during the 2013 summer transfer window, subject to an agreement between all parties. An agreement had been reached with more than one club this week, but as Arsenal were unable to secure the services of another striker, they reserved their right to not sanction any deal to be concluded.
"Naturally, I was very disappointed as I was looking forward to a new challenge, with a new club and a fresh start in English football. Many things have been said about my where my future lies after many years at Arsenal; the truth is I just want to play football which is when I am happiest and Arsenal is a fantastic environment for any professional to apply their trade."Nick Thompson: 'It's never wise to be in a one-horse race'
Our back page interview today with Hull City MD Nick Thompson contains some fascinating insights into the drama of deadline day. Speaking about the late collapse of the Shane Long deal, Thompson says: "If I was in the same position again I would be very sceptical. It's never wise to be in a one-horse race so with the benefit of hindsight we could have looked at other options available to us. That wasn't possible so late on."
Great honesty from Thompson - even if it sounds like he is being very hard on himself. City may well have been looking at Carlton Cole (now apparently on his way back to West Ham) and other players who have not been revealed, but the surprise availability of Long - offering the quality Bruce craved - persuaded them to take a calculated risk - and who could argue with that?
Meanwhile, speaking about City's summer strengthening in general, Thompson says Steve Bruce has built a squad that is "more than capable" of competing in the Premier League. And finally ...
Milan legend Franco Baresi is looking forward to facing Alan Shearer for the first time with the Rossoneri legends side take on a Newcastle United XI in Steve Harper's testimonial game. Baresi, 53, said: "I have never played against him before, and that was one of the things that really appealed about this game. He was a very good striker and player, and it will be an honour to play against him. He is a little bit younger though, so it will be a test."
Hull City goalkeeper Harper left Newcastle in the summer after 20 years. The game, at 7pm on Wednesday, September 11, will raise money for the Great North Children's Hospital, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Newcastle United Foundation.
