West Ham made a lucrative offer in hope of securing the services of Leeds and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips on deadline day.
Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady contacted Angus Kinnear at Elland Road in hope of landing Phillips for £55million.
David Moyes was keen to partner the Leeds star with fellow England teammate Declan Rice in the middle of the midfield, but Leeds rebuffed the Londoners' approach.
It has been revealed that negotiations had started three weeks before, after the clubs met to discuss options.