Warbo left frustrated as Leeds swoop for the new Vieira

Mark Warburton has missed out on another top signing target with Toumani Diagouraga signing a two and a half year deal with Leeds United today.

A fee in the region of £250,000 was agreed with Brentford allowing the midfield general to move to the Yorkshire giants.

News of the deal will come as a crushing blow to former City trader Warbo following a fortnight of speculation that Diagouranga was poised for a dream move to Ibrox.

It’s the third time in six months that the Sevco board have failed to back the man with a magic hat having been unable to come up with the cash needed to sign Scott Allan or John Eustace.

With just over a week to go in the transfer window Warbs has still to spend a penny with only Harry Forrester and a goalkeeper from Poland brought in on five month deals.

Speaking respectfully last Saturday after his side’s win over Livingston Warbo purred: “Michael (O’Halloran) is a St Johnstone player and I’m never going to talk about another team’s players.

“I’m not going to talk about Toumani either. He’s a Brentford player and we will only ever comment once any business is completed.

“However, we think we are close with a couple of players. A lot of work has gone on in the background but hopefully we will get the deal over the line in the coming days.”

By Wednesday the tone had changed as the reality of managing a company with a £2.5m going concern warning became clearer.

“We’re making progress on a number of fronts and hopefully we’ll get them over the line,” Warbo claimed. “But if we don’t sign anyone I’m happy to go with what I’ve got.

“It’s important to do all your work in the build-up. You have to research them, look at them off the pitch, ask if they train well, ask about their nutrition, find out if they rehydrate well, look at speed tests or Wyscout.

“Imagine I proposed a player who had a drinking or gambling habit? You have to do your research. It’s important we get it right. We put forward what we think represents value.”

Joking about his own rehydration habits the former Brentford supremo explained how he’ll view the closing of the transfer window: “It’s enjoyable watching it all with your feet up and a nice glass of red wine in hand!

“If you’re looking at the last five or six hours of a window then you’re in trouble. If it’s down to the last hour then you are paying over the odds or you have the wrong player.”

As he prepared to welcome new signing Diagouranga Leeds boss Stevie Evans said: “I think it was a big decision for the kid. I was obviously aware of Rangers’ interest.

“The boy had a big decision to make. But obviously you only get to speak to a player if clubs agree a fee. We agreed a fee, so that’s why we could speak to him.”