COVENTRY missed out on a shock deal for Argentine winger Benjamin Rollheiser despite a £9million bid.
The Sky Blues are set to be edged out by Portuguese giants Benfica after weeks chasing the 23-year-old Estudiantes ace.
Coventry offered £6.5m up front and an extra £2.5m on promotion to the Prem but Benfica came up with more guaranteed cash.
It’s a sickener for Cov as they were prepared to pay the money now while Benfica have a loan on the table with a deal in the summer.
Mark Robins’ side are currently in the play-off places after their Wembley shootout defeat to Luton last summer.
Rollheiser would have joined a side coming off the back of three consecutive league victories.
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The forward scored 13 goals and added eight assists across 83 appearances for Estudiantes.
He is also a former youth international after being capped by Argentina at under-17 and under-23 level.
Coventry were able to add to their squad earlier this month, though.
Danish midfielder Victor Torp has signed from Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg for just over £2million.
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The 24-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the club and was on the bench for Saturday’s win at Sheffield Wednesday.
Next up for the play-off chasers is a return to Hillsborough in the FA Cup on Friday before a home clash with Bristol City on January 30.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk