To be fair, NPs direct quotes are vague enough to allow for this possibility.
“It’s enormously disappointing, of course, but West Brom had always made it clear it would be conditional on them doing their own business,” Thompson told the Mail. “They came to the stage late in the day that they no longer wanted to do the deal.
“That’s understandable because you look after your best interests as a football club, but it was hard to take coming so late in the day. Everyone I have spoken with since has said ‘That’s football’ but it’s still hugely disappointing.”