According to the unconfirmed reports, Gareth Southgate's Middlesborough tabled a bid thought to be around the £1M mark, which was deemed unacceptable by Town boss Roy Keane.
It's unlikely that Town will move McAuley on from the club even with the emergency loan window opening next week, unless another centre half can be secured prior to any deal taking place.
Town have been linked with Sheffield Wednesday centre back Richard Wood over the past few days, but no move took place yesterday and for the Owl to join the club it would have to be on loan next week with view to a full move.