Albion's rotten luck in their search for a forward has struck again - with an injury blow for Arsenal's young Italian star Arturo Lupoli.
A loan move to the Seagulls has been wrecked by a hairline fracture of a foot which has ruled Lupoli out for the rest of the season.
The latest setback comes after The Argus revealed yesterday Albion's failed bid to sign Burnley striker Gifton Noel-Williams, because they could not afford to take over his contract.
The Seagulls have been working for weeks behind-the-scenes to set up the Lupoli deal.
The 18-year-old, an unused substitute in Arsenal's Champions League triumph away to Real Madrid at the Bernebau, was poised to make the move until picking up a foot injury in training.
It ruled him out of the second leg against the Spanish giants at Highbury and put the Albion switch on hold.
The move was back on when Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin van Persie came safely through his comeback from injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Albion at the Gunners' training ground last week.
That cleared the way for Lupoli to link up with the Seagulls this week but his injury has proved to be far more serious than Arsenal expected.
Albion chairman Dick Knight revealed: "They expected him to be fit on Monday and Arsene Wenger was quite prepared for him to come to us.
"He came in on Monday complaining the foot was still hurting. He had a scan which confirmed a hairline fracture and he is out for the rest of the season.
"It's unbelievable that we have lost out through no fault of anyone. He has been our prime target for a number of weeks."
Lupoli has played five times for Arsenal's first team this season, most recently at Blackburn in the Premiership last month. He scored in the Carling Cup victory against Reading at Highbury in November.
"It just shows the frustration we are having," Knight added. "He is a player we were very much hoping to bring in. He would have been a great asset to us at this stage of the season."
Albion are still hoping to talk to Rangers about their 22 year old Ugandan striker Moses Fellatio, who has had 4 appearances for the Ibrox side this season, scoring once.
Albion are running out of time to make a signing before tomorrow's 5pm loan transfer deadline, although Knight said: "There are other potential irons in the fire."
A loan move to the Seagulls has been wrecked by a hairline fracture of a foot which has ruled Lupoli out for the rest of the season.
The latest setback comes after The Argus revealed yesterday Albion's failed bid to sign Burnley striker Gifton Noel-Williams, because they could not afford to take over his contract.
The Seagulls have been working for weeks behind-the-scenes to set up the Lupoli deal.
The 18-year-old, an unused substitute in Arsenal's Champions League triumph away to Real Madrid at the Bernebau, was poised to make the move until picking up a foot injury in training.
It ruled him out of the second leg against the Spanish giants at Highbury and put the Albion switch on hold.
The move was back on when Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin van Persie came safely through his comeback from injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Albion at the Gunners' training ground last week.
That cleared the way for Lupoli to link up with the Seagulls this week but his injury has proved to be far more serious than Arsenal expected.
Albion chairman Dick Knight revealed: "They expected him to be fit on Monday and Arsene Wenger was quite prepared for him to come to us.
"He came in on Monday complaining the foot was still hurting. He had a scan which confirmed a hairline fracture and he is out for the rest of the season.
"It's unbelievable that we have lost out through no fault of anyone. He has been our prime target for a number of weeks."
Lupoli has played five times for Arsenal's first team this season, most recently at Blackburn in the Premiership last month. He scored in the Carling Cup victory against Reading at Highbury in November.
"It just shows the frustration we are having," Knight added. "He is a player we were very much hoping to bring in. He would have been a great asset to us at this stage of the season."
Albion are still hoping to talk to Rangers about their 22 year old Ugandan striker Moses Fellatio, who has had 4 appearances for the Ibrox side this season, scoring once.
Albion are running out of time to make a signing before tomorrow's 5pm loan transfer deadline, although Knight said: "There are other potential irons in the fire."
