Premier League champions Liverpool were reportedly priced out of signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba in the January transfer window.
Jurgen Klopp's side have been desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements before Monday's 11pm deadline and viewed Tapsoba as a potential target.
According to Sport1, the German outfit value the Guinea international at around £44m, a figure the Reds were not willing to pay.
Liverpool have since agreed deals to sign Schalke 04 defender Ozan Kabak as well as Preston North End centre-back Ben Davies.
The Turkish international is to join on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy for around £18m, while Davies is set to sign a permanent deal worth around £1.6m.
Tapsoba has impressed for Leverkusen this campaign, having made 17 league appearances to help the club move up to fifth in the Bundesliga table.
