As Manchester City were marching on in one race, their Premier League rivals were slipping out of another.
Liverpool opted for a busy Champions League night to let it be known that they would not be signing Jude Bellingham this summer, with the England midfielder deemed too expensive for a rebuild that now looks more extensive than many expected it to be before the sharp decline in form this season. Having been considered early frontrunners to sign Bellingham, Liverpool's admission of defeat will encourage the other riders.
That includes City even if they have never officially ruled themselves in, with Pep Guardiola struggling to contain his opinion of the player ahead of their European game at Dortmund this season. This summer could be another of significant change at the Etihad and Bellingham would be the second marquee signing in two years following the arrival (and staggering success) of Erling Haaland this season.
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Adding Bellingham to this City team is a tantalising prospect, and Guardiola's development of talent - and particularly English talent - would be enough to have Gareth Southgate giddy about it as well, although the player is good enough to go where he chooses and Real Madrid hold quite the appeal as well. The 19-year-old also does not know how he would fit into City's midfield for next season because two huge decisions still have to be made.
Guardiola said that Ilkay Gundogan can do what he wants after scoring the goals that won the Premier League title lasts season, yet the German is into the final three months of his contract with no decision yet on what will come next. Barcelona are keen and at this stage a departure is more likely than staying, but it is still in the hands of the club captain.
Then there is Bernardo Silva, the terrier who dumbfounded Bayern all evening with another outstanding performance in the hybrid role that he excels in. City's stance remains that he can leave if the right offer comes in, and after his performances this season (and the fact that his price tag will be lower with one fewer year left on his deal) should be enough for Paris Saint-Germain to revive their interest even if the Spanish super clubs are not tempted.
Bellingham would be another huge coup for Txiki Begiristain to excite City fans, but losing Bernardo, Gundogan or both this summer would be daunting. The pair have been critical to so much of the team's success under Guardiola and have shown in recent months that they remain as vital as ever to a team that suddenly looks capable of scaling new heights.
As Liverpool have shown this season, sometimes moving on is not as straightforward as it seems.
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