Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie was all set to join Sunderland this summer but he was unable to obtain a work permit, according to his agent.
The 19-year-old has been tipped for big things this season and he already has four goals to his name in three games.
The Ivorian has also recently broken into his national team and Sunderland were ready to bring him to England this summer.
But now Kessie's agent, George Atangana, has revealed that his client's Premier League dream was stopped as he couldn't secure a work permit.
"I can confirm now.