Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has told The Northern Echo that he wanted to sign a different Norwich City player before eventually bringing in Onel Hernandez.
The 28-year-old Cuban winger joined the North East outfit just a few days shy of deadline day and will now be looking to make a lasting impact under his new manager at the Riverside Stadium.
Hernandez only played a bit part role for Norwich last season as the Canaries secured their return to the Premier League and will now be looking to show Daniel Farke and his staff exactly what they are missing.
However despite eventually bringing in Hernandez, Warnock has now admitted that he had his eye on another Norwich player prior to striking the loan agreement with the top flight side:
"I have always loved (Onel) Hernandez and didn't think we'd get him. We went after another lad at Norwich but couldn't get him out of the club.
"Then Hernandez became available and we jumped straight in there and the two weeks he's been here he's lifted everybody. I wouldn't want to mark him."
Hernandez made his debut for Boro in their recent 2-0 defeat to an in form Coventry City side and showed his versatility by partnering fellow new signing Uche Ikpeazu up front.
The attacker is also adept at playing on both flanks and currently has two years remaining on his contract with Norwich City after joining them from Eintracht Braunschweig in January 2018.
The Verdict
In the end Warnock has got his man and it appears that this is a player that he has been very keen to work with for quite some time.
The Boro boss is a bit of a sucker for a fast and tricky winger and it appears that he has brought yet another one into the club that can hopefully make a lasting impact in the final third.
Hernandez himself will be expecting to start every week at his age and therefore he will have to perform to a high level on a consistent basis to really get the most out of his loan spell.
If he goes on to impress at the Riverside Stadium, a permanent move could well be in the offing further down the line.