Stubbs foiled in bid to sign Juve striker

St Mirren were thwarted at the last minute in their attempt to sign Juventus striker Stefano Beltrame, manager Alan Stubbs has revealed.

He admitted yesterday that a deal for the 25-yearold was dead, as they welcomed the arrival of Nicolai Brock-madsen from Birmingham City.

He said: “We were hopeful of getting the signing of Stefano across the line. Unfortunately, over the last day, that won’t be happening anymore. It’s disappointing but that’s transfer business.”

Stubbs had been confident of bringing both players to the Ladbrokes Premiership new boys earlier in the week. A package had been agreed with Juventus by which Beltrame would have moved on a seasonlong loan.

The Italian, who had agreed to move to Paisley, then had a change of heart, choosing instead to return to the Netherlands with second-tier club Den Bosch, where he had spent time on loan in the 2016-17 season.

Meanwhile, new arrival Brock-madsen revealed how former Dundee and Aberdeen attacker Greg Stewart sold him on a move to the Ladbrokes Premiership.

He said: “Greg was one of the first guys I talked with about coming here. He was at Aberdeen last year and has a really good knowledge about how the league is and what’s going on.

“I got some positive feedback from him which really helped my decision.”