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Deal off: Defender who feared city was 'too cold' refuses to complete Liverpool exit
TIAGO ILORI has refused to join Sunderland.
Liverpool - Most Expensive Transfers
The Liverpool defender was expected to meet Black Cats bosses today and agree a loan deal before the 6pm transfer deadline.
But the move has broken down over the player's concerns about a lack of first-team opportunities under manager Dick Advocaat.
Ilori, 22, was expected to leave Anfield after failing to break into the first team.
He has spent that last two seasons on loan - at Liga side Granada and Bordeaux of Ligue 1 - after joining Liverpool from Sporting in 2013.
The centre-half cost Liverpool £7million but is yet to make an appearance for the Reds.
Sunderland were keen on the player earlier this summer but had their advances rejected, with his father coming up with a novel reason for the snub.
"There are other clubs interested, like Sunderland, but Sunderland is a cold city," he had said.
Tiago Ilori has refused to join Sunderland
According to worldweatheronline.com, the city of Sunderland has an average December temperature of between 2c and 6c.
The city of Liverpool, meanwhile, averages between 2c and a scorching 8c in the same month.
The collapse of the move leaves Sunderland with little time to secure a defensive swoop ahead of this afternoon's deadline.
Yesterday they paid Liverpool £8m plus add ons for Italian striker Fabio Borini, who enjoyed a loan spell at the Stadium of Light two seasons ago.
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