As of this moment, it seems unlikely that Manchester United will make any signings in January, with most of the club's transfer movement involving players leaving Old Trafford on loan.
MEN Sport understands that the majority of the club's business will be done next summer, with up to four signings targeted by United including a midfielder, a right-back, a forward and possibly a backup goalkeeper.
Though this may change upon the appointment of a new manager, it does seem to address all of United's major problem areas.
United's main target for the close-season window seems to be Declan Rice, but they could hit the stumbling block that West Ham are competing for European football and will not want to sell their talisman for anything other than big money.
£100m is the minimum pricetag that has been quoted by the London club to sanction a sale for the midfielder, but former West Ham player Julian Dicks thinks that it won't stay that low for long, saying in an interview with Stadium Astro: "Nowadays you would be saying £100m but the thing is, if he stays here another season or couple of seasons and keeps performing as he is, his value will only go up."
If West Ham make it difficult for United to secure a deal for Rice what do they do?
It is quite obvious the Reds need a defensive midfielder, other reports have also linked them with Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, but he is more of a box-to-box option, so would not fit the profile that United need to bring in (though in addition to a number six, definitely, let's make that happen!).
Luckily United have Ralf Rangnick, who has a talent for these sorts of situations. As part of the Red Bull project he oversaw the transfers of a number of talented and unknown youngsters, who have gone on to be global superstars, including the likes of Sadio Mane and Joshua Kimmich.
Rangnick obviously won't be able to pull an unknown teenager out of the Swiss second division and have him start for United, but the logic that he will be able to apply the same data-based scouting processes to find gems for United seems sound on paper.
In terms of defensive midfielders, over the past few years, the French league has been a goldmine.
The likes of Fabinho, Idrissa Gueye, Yves Bissouma and N'Golo Kante all joined English clubs from across the Channel and count themselves as some of the best in the league in their position.
And two names United have been linked with throughout January are Aurelien Tchouameni and Boubacar Kamara, who both fit the profile of the sort of player needed to provide security to their midfield.
Newcastle new boy Bruno Guimaraes would also have been an interesting option, but his teammate Maxence Caqueret has also gained plaudits and would present an interesting option.
Overall the old adage of "'work smarter, not harder" comes to mind and that's what United need to do if they feel like they are hitting a brick wall with their approach for Rice.
Which four players do you want Manchester United to sign in the summer? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comment section below.
