Skipper Nick Knight is concerned about his seam attack

The club made an offer to Gough when he visited Edgbaston last week but he chose instead to join Essex.

"Obviously we're disappointed, but we wish him well," said chief executive Dennis Amiss.

He played down newspaper reports linking the club with Somerset's England fast bowler Andy Caddick.

"We haven't discussed that. We wouldn't know what Andy Caddick's situation is.

"Nick Knight is coming in to see us in the next day or so. We need to sit down with the chairman of cricket and Nick and see where we go from here," Amiss told BBC Sport.

Warwickshire could solve their problem by looking overseas as they still have an overseas player vacancy despite signing Australian spinner Brad Hogg.

Former Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis could be a possible option, having taken 39 wickets in eight Championship appearances last summer.

"We would need to discuss that," Amiss added.

"But everyone is agreed we do need to strengthen the bowling because we have so much inexperience. A high profile performer is what we have our sights on."

Amiss declined to reveal the details of the offer made to Gough.

"I believe the decision is not a financial one. Ours was a very competitive offer.

"He has got Paul Grayson, his best man, there [at Essex] and one or two other mates and he has decided he wants to end his career down there."