Outspent: Rivals Leicester splashed out on the like of £5m Matt Mills (right)

Deadline-day swoops for Wolfsburg winger Ashkan Dejagah and Leeds forward Max Gradel also fell through, leaving McClaren wondering about the ambition of club owner Nigel Doughty.

The situation is a repeat of the one that brought McClaren's predecessor, Billy Davies, into conflict with Doughty.

Forest use a transfer acquisitions panel to oversee their signings and it has been a source of consistent complaint from a succession of bosses, despite the fact venture capitalist Doughty has spent more than £60m bankrolling his favourite club.

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