The clock was ticking towards the end of a taxing summer transfer window but Birmingham City were still pushing hard.

Sixteen players had already left and 17 more had come in, but the most expensive signing — and the one that would send shockwaves through football in the UK — was still pending and time was running out.

Inside the club’s training ground — or Elite Performance and Innovation Centre, as it’s more formally known — there was confidence that Jay Stansfield would join on a permanent deal from Fulham. The 21-year-old had indicated he would be up for the challenge of returning to the club where he spent last season on loan.

The difficulty, though, was pushing Fulham to sell. Multiple offers over the summer had been knocked back as manager Marco Silva prepared to use Stansfield as one of three forward options in the Premier League this season. Rival interest from the Championship added another layer of complexity yet still Birmingham pushed, testing Fulham’s resolve with an increased bid of £10million ($13.2m) on the final day of trading that was again rejected.

Then came the breakthrough with the deadline approaching. A deal was agreed at a figure between £12m and £15m with a substantial amount of add-ons, although Birmingham say the total package is not as high as £20m.