Neil Warnock says Cardiff City tried to sign a replacement for Emiliano Sala, but were unable to persuade a striker to join the Premier League club.
Sala became Cardiff's record signing when he moved from Nantes, but his plane disappeared over the English Channel while making his way from Nantes to Cardiff.
Both Sala and pilot David Ibbotson remain missing, with the player's family raising funds to launch their own private operation.
Editors' Picks
Cardiff's appeal for the Premier League to grant them an extension to the transfer window was turned down and Thursday's deadline passed without a replacement arriving, although they brought in midfielder Leandro Bacuna from Reading for a reported £3 million.