A DEAL to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Rajiv van la Parra has collapsed, The Bolton News understands.

Neil Lennon had teed up the Dutchman to sign until Christmas but was forced to back out of the move yesterday.

The Wanderers boss had already delayed the deal until the end of the international break so that the club could get maximum value from the loan but with an away game at Reading on the horizon, it now appears unlikely he will add to his squad before the weekend.

Sources in the Midlands claim “financial issues” at the Macron Stadium were to blame for Van la Parra staying put at Wolves.

It is bound to come as a major blow to Lennon, who had looked to the former Heerenveen attacker to add some pace to a side that has scored just once in its last six outings and had been struggling badly for creativity.

“It’s an absolute priority to get some more quality in the final third,” he told The Bolton News after the goalless draw with Bristol City.

“We need someone who’s going to make a difference and that’s not being disrespectful to the players I have got – they have given me everything.

“But it’s been apparent for the last six to 10 games that we need something more in the final third of the pitch.

“It’s difficult to moan because we’ve played well but missing chances is costing us badly and you, me and the crowd can’t put the ball in the net for them (the players). Someone needs to make the difference when we’re on top or else we’re going to struggle to win games.”

The collapse of the move at this late stage is bound to raise questions about whether the ongoing takeover situation has been a factor. Money is unlikely to be released by either party as due diligence is done – although there has been no confirmation from Wanderers nor the Shields Sports Consortium that the negotiations have reached that advanced stage.

It has also been suggested that one of Lennon’s fringe players was due to leave on loan, opening up space in the budget, only for that move to fall down.

Either way, Lennon’s ability to change results in the short term is sure to be tested with a squad already missing star attacking talent such as Zach Clough and Wellington Silva.