Linfield look set to miss out on summer target Kyrian Nwoko.
It was recently reported that the Blues had agreed an undisclosed fee for Nwoko who is currently with Valletta and has played 21 times for Malta.
According to the Malta Times, personal terms on a two year contract were virtually agreed, with the move subject to the 24-year-old obtaining a work permit.
But is is understood that issues over the permit stalled the move to Belfast, with Nwoko now set to join League of Ireland outfit St Patrick's Athletic on loan.
The Times of Malta have reported that a deal is expected to be "completed in the coming days".
Speaking last week about the pursuit of Nwoko, David Healy had said: “Kyrian who? We are no further on with anyone.
“We do however hope to have one at least, possibly two in before the start of the new league season.
“There’s still enough time to assess what we feel we really need after next week’s Europa Conference League game in Bosnia.
“We have a decent enough squad and we also have three or four of the younger players training with us at the moment.
“All I’m concentrating on, and what the club has been concentrating on this week, is preparing for European games."
