An individual can think that spending $100 for a nice shirt is worthwhile, they're willing to spend $100 but for whatever reason cannot purchase the shirt. They may not be willing to spend $30 for a shirt they don't like as much. Assuming they have the means, they should still probably spend that $30 as they are currently topless and there's a fecking blizzard outside. That's the current predicament with our midfield. Just because they are willing to spend whatever the cost is for FDJ, doesn't make it any less a disappointment if assuming that deal falls through, they don't spend whatever is required to pursue alternative options.
Also your hypothetical makes no sense, you don't know who we would end up signing as an alternative in your make belief scenario, nor how much they would cost. For all you know, clubs know we are now desperate to strengthen our midfield, with less time in the window for clubs to find replacements, resulting in them milking us.