Brown deal dead?

It would seem the answer is yes. Whilst both parties have been in negotiations since the beginning of the week, the slience leads us to believe the deal is over.

And with rumours in numerous papers that Hutchings has bid £1.5million for Bolton mdfielder/defender Faye, there seems to be more evidence that the move is off.

It could be, however, that any move is on hold until Brown's club Fulham returns from Asia, where they are currently at a training camp. Another possible reason is Brown wants the weekend to mull over his contract offer.

He could even have decided a move to his former club Sheffield United, relegated at the hands of Wigan last season, is his preferred route.

Either way, expect some sort of announcement from either club in the next few days regarding this move.