Liverpool have wasted no time in getting down to business after finishing fifth last season and Jurgen Klopp may 'only' need a further £68m to put the finishing touches to his midfield overhaul.
Shelving initial plans to pursue Jude Bellingham due to the costs involved, the Reds instead wanted to spread their budget on two or three additions for their engine room. Before the transfer market even reopened, they welcomed Argentina star Alexis Mac Allister to Anfield for an undisclosed fee.
Countless names have been mooted as possible follow-up signings. Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone, Gabri Veiga and Ryan Gravenberch - among others - continue to do the rounds, while Klopp and his recruitment team are thought to be targeting a younger profile to blend with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and new arrival Mac Allister.
But there is another proposed option who, simply, will not go away. Klopp has made no secret about his admiration for Nicolo Barella in the past and there is revived speculation over his Inter Milan future.
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It's a would-be pursuit that comes with one or two complications, but there can be no denying how much the Italy man would bring to the table if he puts pen-to-paper. Klopp has pretty much spelled that out.
Addressing the 26-year-old last year, Klopp said: "[The news] That Barella is not able to play is not bad for us. He's a really good player and I like him a lot.
"He has all the things that you want from a midfield player; he's aggressive, he's technical, he can run for ages and all these kinds of things. He's a top-class player."
Similarly to Bellingham, who eventually signed for Real Madrid anyway, there remains a price tag issue with Barella. However, reports from Il Tempo indicate he could be available for €80m (£68m).
If that proves to be true, Liverpool would be wise to snap-up the 44-cap international as his countless attributes - outlined by Klopp - complement Fabinho's defensive stability as well as Mac Allister's creativity, eye for a pass and guile. It would be job done at just over £100m combined for Mac Allister and Barella.
As a result, funds to strengthen in other areas might be tight, but there is no real need or desire to add to the Reds' options in attacking quarters. Signing a left-sided central defender is on the cards, but one or two further outgoings (for the amounts) would, presumably, see to that.
Of course, striking-up transfer business is not as simple as that but Klopp has, clearly, signalled how much he values Barella and the race for his signature might now be hotting up.
