It just wouldn't be a transfer window without talk of Philippe Coutinho making the move to Tottenham.
Joining Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 in a deal worth an eye-watering £142million, the Brazilian's struggles at the Nou Camp duly saw him linked with a swift Premier League return.
Spurs' name continued to crop up every transfer window in regards to a deal for the attacking midfielder and it did look to be a move that made complete sense.
Needing quality players to help the team kick on to the next level after missing out on major trophies, Christian Eriksen was also struggling to have the same impact on the team and did look to be on his way out of the club.
Eventually losing the Dane in January 2020 to Inter Milan in a cut-price deal due to his contract status, Tottenham are still trying to find a replacement for the Brentford man two years on from his exit.
Amid some possible doubts over Coutinho given his Barcelona nightmare and his struggles since leaving Liverpool, he is now showing at Aston Villa that he still has so much to offer in the Premier League.
Managing to strike a loan deal with Barca back in January, the Midlands club do also have the option to make his move permanent come the summer and his current form means that should be a no-brainer.
Scoring on his Aston Villa debut as he helped them come from behind to earn a point against Manchester United, he then scored and registered two assists in the 3-3 draw against Leeds United at the start of the month.
Saturday's 4-0 demolition of Southampton was Coutinho at his very best.
Scoring and assisting in the victory as they ended Saints' brilliant run of form, the ex-Liverpool man laid on a fine assist for fellow countryman Douglas Luiz and perhaps should have had a hat-trick for himself in a sublime display.
Manager Steven Gerrard, who played a key role in luring him to the Midlands, waxed lyrical about his man after the game and made it clear he is returning to the form he showed at Liverpool.
"We've got Phil [Coutinho] back fit and in a really good place - he was back to his Liverpool form today and he was a touch above. The other players have got a lift from him," he told Match of the Day.
"It is about having players running in behind for him and Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings were untouchable at times today too.
"When Phil is in the mood he is a world class player. He probably finished my career a couple of years early, he's the reason I've got screws in my knees and groins!"
Villa frontman Ollie Watkins also heaped praise on his teammate after the game when speaking to Match of the Day.
"Sometimes he thinks too quickly for you, so I have to go off his body movement and sometimes I've gone the opposite way. He's too sharp - he thinks quicker than anyone else," explained the ex-Brentford man.
"I can't speak highly enough about him to be honest. It's a joy to play with him, and Ingsy, and hopefully we can do this more often to teams."
No doubt leaving Tottenham fans watching the highlights thinking what could have been, Spurs supporters will see firsthand what the attacker is all about next month when Antonio Conte's men visit Villa Park.
Coutinho could be pivotal to the final result going on his start to life at Villa so far.
Given Tottenham's struggles to adequately replace Eriksen two years on from his move to the San Siro, the Brazil ace may have been the perfect man to come in and take his place.
Maybe not the profile of player for Spurs to target give his age and Barca's big demands for their man, a move to N17 just didn't happen despite all the talk.
Fans have long called for the club to bring in a new attacking midfielder and provide the ammunition for Harry Kane and Son Heung-min ever since Eriksen's departure.
A new attacking midfielder wasn't one of Spurs' three priority positions in the transfer market but they did manage to boost their attack with a deal for exciting youngster Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus.
The Swede, who can operate as a winger or a No.10, has chipped in with two goals and one assist since his move and looks set to play a key role for the team going forward.
However, it's clear for all to see that they still need to look for a creative midfielder if the club are to get back to their previous heights and challenge for major honours.
Missing out on the likes of Jack Grealish, Bruno Fernandes and Luis Diaz in recent transfer windows, Coutinho is now showing Tottenham why they should have taken a punt on him when he was at his lowest at Barcelona.
