Gary Johnson has confirmed tonight that negotiations with Michael Mifsud about a proposed transfer has ended unsuccessfully.

The manager exclusively told bcfc.co.uk: "I don't think he's right for us. I know people will be shocked by that and this is not me trying to enhance my reputation for interview techniques.

"I can't commit £1.5m of the club's money to people that I don't think can be committed to the club over three years.

"That means so much to me and this football club. We've worked so hard over the last few years getting where we are with the dressing room we have.

"When I talk to people and try and do a deal with them you get to know their weaknesses. Although they might be very good players, in the end if they aren't the right personality for me and the club they'll let you down in the end.

"I'm sorry for the supporters and especially sorry for the chairman because he's done exactly what I wanted him to do. He's come up twice with £1.5m for Meteb and Mifsud.

"Twice we've agreed with clubs and twice we've agreed with players. I'm only going to do things that are right for the football club - I promise the fans that.

"Both situations proved, given certain incidents during the negotiations with the players that they weren't right. I think at some stage we would have lost them, albeit in the head or whatever circumstances.

"However good the players are, you will lose them in the end if they don't come across as what we need for this football club."

Chairman Steve Lansdown announced at Open Day that Mifsud had agreed terms and was poised to sign on Monday.

Gary added: "I've discussed this with the chairman because it's serious stuff when you pull out of deals, having worked so hard following them (players).

"I had a text from the player (Mifsud) on Saturday saying that he had enjoyed looking around Bristol and would be down on Monday to sign.

"I told the chairman that and he obviously announced that at the Open Day, like I had done to many fans. The lad reneged on that and at that point I started questioning things.

"Him, his representative and lawyer took negotiations to a new level that I've never been before, not as in finances necesarily, but in the way they were conducting business.

"In my opinion it wasn't very professional and certainly not respectful of this football club."