Buffel was thought to be on the way out at Ibrox

The Belgium international looked set to complete his move to Germany ahead of the closing of the January transfer window, but terms could not be agreed.

Hannover sporting director Christian Hochstatter said that it was the player and not the club that killed the deal.

"Things emerged which weren't discussed - additional charges which are not justified in our view," he said.

The 25-year-old Belgian international cost Rangers �2.3m when he joined from Feyenoord in 2005.

"The situation was that Thomas Buffel's agent received a written offer from us after repeated negotiations," said Hochstatter.

"The answer to our offer came the day before yesterday, in which it was said that Thomas Buffel would join us.

"We assumed that the player would then sign.

"When additional charges came up and the player said he had different figures in his head then that can't be Hannover's fault, but it shows a communication problem between the agent and player."

Buffel has made more than 60 first-team appearances for the Ibrox club.

Meanwhile, reported late interest from Rangers in signing Motherwell striker Scott McDonald and Falkirk forward Alan Gow came to nothing as the transfer window closed on Wednesday.

However, Rangers are thought to be pursuing the signing of Gow on a pre-contract agreement.