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The 32-year old former Scotland international, who made 12 appearances and scored 3 goals during his loan spell at Cappielow, is locked in a contractual dispute at Dundee United that sees him unable to join the Greenock club.
It is understood that McLaren's financial concerns at United proved to be the main stumbling block. With a year left to run on his contract, McLaren sought compensation before being released to join Morton, rather than simply leaving for a nominal fee. With McLaren, Morton and United unable to reach a deal, the Arabs chairman Eddie Thompson (pictured) must now either find a new club for McLaren and agree financial terms accordingly, or pay his wages for another year.
The latter option may seem distasteful to Thompson. McLaren is reportedly well and truly out of United manager Gordon Chisholm's plans for the upcoming campaign; with this in mind, it would be in the Tannadice outfit's interest to broker a deal as soon as possible.
Sadly, however, this deal will almost certainly not be with Morton. 'Ton gaffer Jim McInally intimated yesterday that his club's patience was wearing thin, and that midnight on Thursday was the deadline for any deal being made.
McInally will be chagrined at being unable to get his man, particularly as this man was part of the Morton side that went on a 12 game unbeaten run - coinciding with McLaren's arrival and departure - to nearly secure promotion to Division 1. However, finances seem to have proved an insurmountable stumbling block to both McInally and McLaren.
McLaren, who had expressed in the national press a desire to complete a move to Morton, is said to be aware and understanding of the situation, if regretful; one has to wonder just how understanding some Morton fans may be after yet another transfer-related disappointment.