Nottingham Forest can console themselves with the fact that they are not the only ones facing struggles to get a much-needed striker on board.
Having been linked with half of Europe, the Reds are in a similar boat to a number of rivals.
Nuno Da Costa has, as revealed on the club’s official website, completed a move to the City Ground.
With that deal done, the Cape Verde international has come in behind Lewis Grabban.
That is the problem Forest have faced in the winter window.
Potentially in the one last summer as well.
Everyone knows who the main man is on Trentside.
Anyone who has kept half an eye on Forest this season will also know that Sabri Lamouchi favours a system with one up top.
There has been the odd nod towards a strike pairing, but no actual breaking of the mould.
That presents quite the poser to those in the corridors of power.
If you believe what you read, then Forest have taken a shine to a vast array of forwards over recent weeks.
From proven Premier League goalscorers to foreign fancies, all avenues have been explored.
You would hope that plenty of feelers have been put out.
Answers
Original Image: Nottingham Forest/Graphic Design: Beth Davenport
Actual discussions between real people may have taken place at some stage.
The answers longed for have, it appears, been in short supply.
Is that because of Grabban’s presence?
Are Forest becoming victims of their own success?
Probably.
That should not be considered a bad thing, with Grabban having reached 16 goals for the season.
If you have to rely on someone, make sure it is a striker of that ilk.
And Forest are not alone when it comes to this recruitment headache.
Those at the very top of the tree face similar troubles.
Tottenham have been linked with strikers from around the world in recent times, but have had little joy when it comes to getting deals over the line.
Jose Mourinho has inherited that problem from Mauricio Pochettino.
With Harry Kane sidelined with a hamstring injury, Spurs need another focal point in the final third.
Fearsome
As deadline day looms, they are yet to find one.
That is because, like at Forest, nobody wants to be a No.2.
The situation at Tottenham is slightly different right now, with Kane out of action, but the England captain remains the go-to man.
Over at Premier League leaders Liverpool, bolstering the attacking ranks at Anfield is never easy.
Jurgen Klopp currently boasts one of the most fearsome frontlines on the planet.
Good luck to anybody hoping to nudge Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino down the pecking order!
The same rules apply to new arrivals in north London, Nottingham and beyond.
Some roles are nailed down, that’s just how it is.
Forest, like Spurs, are finding out how difficult it is to fill other holes.
That may, as reported by The Telegraph, lead to Tyler Walker heading back to Trentside.
With all options seemingly exhausted, the Reds may have little choice but to seek assistance from one of their own.
Cutting short a loan spell at Lincoln for the 23-year-old is far from ideal, given it was sanctioned in the first place to get him regular game time and goals, but sometimes needs must.
Lamouchi, Mourinho, Klopp et al will all attest to that.