Fulham have said Tottenham Hotspur's indecision over Ryan Sessegnon cost the west London club the opportunity to replace the 19-year-old.
The winger joined Mauricio Pochettino's team on deadline day for £25 million after Spurs made a last-minute offer for the rising star.
Speaking to the club's official website (h/t Darren Wells of the Mirror), Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan explained Spurs did not follow up their initial interest in the player over the summer and only decided to match Fulham's valuation late in the day.
"We heard from them [Spurs] for the first time two weeks before the close of the window.