Sunderland boss Simon Grayson is disappointed to miss out on bringing Max Gradel to the club.
The Black Cats were trying to take the Ivorian from Bournemouth but he has decided to join French Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a season-long loan.
Grayson, who signed the 29-year-old for Leeds in 2009, thought he had a deal agreed, but Gradel opted to return to France, having previously played for St Etienne.
'We spoke to Max and he eventually decided to go back to France,' the boss said after his side kept their unbeaten start to the season going with a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship.