Martin Andresen was Friday night ready for a transfer to Brann, following Rosenborg’s withdrawal from the fight to secure the Norwegian national team captain.

“He has been sold to Brann,” Stabæk Sports Director Jan Erik Aalbu confirms to Norwegian national daily VG’s internet edition.

Rosenborg was long one of Andresen’s alternatives, but on Friday the reigning champions from Trøndelag gave him a thumbs-down and withdrew from the bidding: Andresen was just too expensive.

“We wanted a decision today and had spoken with Stabæk about a price, which hadn’t been discussed earlier. When we were informed of the magnitude of the transfer sum, we were no longer interested,” says Sports Director Rune Bratseth to Norwegian internet news site Nettavisen.

As a result, the quest for a new central midfielder for RBK continues.