Ipswich have missed out on a move for Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic - according to the German club's sporting director.
Town manager Jim Magilton is desperately searching for a striker before the close of the transfer window and is still hopeful of re-negotiating a deal for Newcastle's Shola Ameobi.
But Bundesliga side Cologne claim that Magilton made an unsuccessful £2.8million bid for Slovenia international Novakovic.
"He is not for sale. Ipswich have made us a written offer that was not bad, but we will not sell Novakovic," Cologne sporting director Michael Meier told German newspaper, the Express.
Novakovic scored 20 goals in the German second division last season and has notched two goals in two appearances in the Bundesliga so far this term.
