BILD understands that Ameen Al-Dakhil of VfB Stuttgart was a "hot transfer target" for Hamburger SV in the summer.
A potential loan deal to the Hanseatic club was reportedly discussed extensively between the clubs and the player's representatives.
However, shortly before the transfer deadline, HSV ultimately decided against signing the 6-time Belgian international permanently.
The background to this was the uncertain situation of Daniel Elfadli, for whom HSV had not found a suitable buyer by deadline day.
Eventually, however, the versatile defender only joined Champions League side LASK Linz from Austria on loan a day later.
Thus, the loan deal for Al-Dakhil to HSV fell through and now the defender has yet to feature for the Swabian side this season.
Due to several injuries, Al-Dakhil has only played in 21 competitive matches for VfB Stuttgart over the past two years.