Brentford's move for Sampdoria midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard has been held up amid talks over a clause to reduce his salary if the club are relegated.
The Bees finished 13th in the Premier League last season after recovering from a mid-season wobble.
Sampdoria had previously accepted a £16 million bid for the 22-year-old, but the deal now appears to be stalling.
Sampdoria had accepted a £16 million bid from Brentford or Mikkel Damsgaard
If the move can be resurrected, Damsgaard could prove a workable replacement for Christian Eriksen.