The summer transfer window has only just opened, but one transfer saga looks like it has already come to an end.
Manchester United's pursuit of a new striker is likely to dominate the gossip columns across the next few weeks, though it seems that Harry Kane's name can be crossed out.
Erik ten Hag is understood to be 'obssessed' by the Tottenham star and sees him as the perfect addition to a side that is lacking firepower. He could be the missing piece of the jigsaw, the player who would make the biggest immediate impact and transform this side from title pretenders into genuine contenders.
There is a problem, though: he isn't for sale. Ten Hag can wish all he wants, but the bottom line is that Daniel Levy has zero interest in selling his star asset, particularly to a domestic rival.
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Levy hopes the appointment of Ange Postecoglou could work out so well that Kane extends his stay in North London, but with his current deal set to expire in a year's time, there is also an acknowledgement that any overseas bids this summer must be seriously considered.
Tottenham have made it clear they don't want to lose talisman Kane in any situation, though it is understood they would be more receptive to an offer if it came from the likes of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
The two European giants are both in the market for an elite goalscorer themselves this summer, and Levy would certainly rather see Kane lighting up the Champions League for either of them than United.
It has left United in an awkward position. While there is an acceptance that Tottenham would have no interest in selling Kane to them, they didn't want to rule out a move completely either.
After all, he is Ten Hag's top target, and there is always an element of bravado when it comes to transfers. Every player does indeed have a price, but it would take an obscene amount for United to compensate Tottenham enough this summer, and it's money that they quite simply don't have to spend right now.
So, it is with reluctance that they must admit defeat and move on to other targets rather than waste their time pursuing a player so unlikely to be attainable.
Things could well change if a takeover is completed quickly, and with new riches, United might well try to make an offer too good to refuse before deadline day, but they can't bank on that happening.
United's acceptance that a deal is unlikely is a bitter pill to swallow, but it does at least prove they have learned from their mistake of last summer and their failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
They had agreed an €85million fee with Barcelona to sign De Jong but the midfielder publicly expressed his preference to stay in Catalonia, and his wage deferral proved to be an insurmountable stumbling block to a deal.
On the 100th day after United first moved for the Dutch midfielder, they used the funds set aside to sign him to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid instead.
United have not fully ended their interest in Kane but are operating under the assumption he will not be sold this summer and are therefore looking at other options to strengthen their forward line.
Victor Osimhen is admired by the club, but there is a belief that he will command a similarly high fee that they can't afford right now, with Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani and Atalanta goalscorer Rasmus Hojlund believed to be more attainable options.
Ten Hag is also an admirer of Benfica's Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus of Ajax. Brighton youngster Evan Ferguson is also well regarded but is set to remain at the club for at least another year following his recent contract renewal.
United will continue to keep an eye on Kane's situation and not fully accept defeat until he moves or the transfer window is over, but they are at least accepting the fact that they can't waste too much time chasing him.
Good things come to those who wait, but United can't afford to wait this summer.
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