It looks for all the world as if Liverpool are about to snatch up Cody Gakpo after a stunning World Cup, when just weeks ago a move to great rivals Manchester United seemed imminent.
The Anfield side have agreed a fee with PSV for the 23-year-old, believed to be in the region of £44million, and he'll become the latest addition to a regenerated forward line as Jurgen Klopp looks to the future beyond the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. It's something of a sore one for United fans, many of whom saw Gakpo as the ideal player to step into the Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped void, to take.
Reports as the news broke suggested the change in the tide came simply down to finances. United hesitated at the fee PSV were asking for, Liverpool didn't and acted decisively. Game, set and match.
Except it doesn't seem like it's quite that straightforward. The financial element will have played its part; it's being widely reported that United used up the bulk of their budget in the summer on the likes of Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez and they only have the January cash for a loan replacement.
According to The Mirror and various other reports, though, another of the reasons United took their time in pulling the trigger was that they are unsure whether he is a central striker. He has primarily been a left winger for PSV and while he played up front for the Netherlands in Qatar, it was usually as part of a two or a three rather than leading the line himself.
That doesn't seem to fit with playing up front in the regimented 4-2-3-1 Ten Hag deploys at Old Trafford. And the boss did hint that he only wants to sign the "right" striker who suits what he is trying to do.
Speaking ahead of their win over Nottingham Forest, he said: "Two things. Impulse can come out of our own club, see Garnacho, see Elanga, see Pellistri, who made a good impression at the World Cup and also in training. That is first.
"Second, yes, we are aware we lost a striker, so I think we have to get a striker in, but it has to be the right one. The right one is a player that brings quality to the team, not just adding to the squad because that only gives you problems. And, you know the criteria is high here at Manchester United."
Record Sport previously revealed that Joao Felix is an alternative option for the Red Devils and he could be in line for a move now Gakpo is off the table. Dusan Vlahovic, Goncalo Ramos and Rafael Leao are among the other options who have been mooted.
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