Another summer, another prolonged Manchester United chase for their top midfield target.
We're not quite at the desperate, infuriating stage last summer's chase for Frenkie de Jong descended into but fans would be forgiven for experiencing uncomfortable flashbacks as United endeavour to sign Mason Mount. This deal looks much likelier to go through but it's now three bids that Chelsea have rejected and there was once a time when it looked as though De Jong would eventually arrive at Old Trafford, too.
Erik ten Hag immediately identified the Barcelona maestro as his top midfield target, believing the player he enjoyed so much success with at Ajax would help implement his style of football at United much quicker. A cash-strapped Barcelona were desperate to raise funds and accepted the club's bid; a player so unwanted by his team would surely jump at the chance to work with his former coach, right?
Nope. Not in the slightest. De Jong had always maintained it was his dream to play for Barcelona and he wasn't going to wake up from it for anyone. Even if Barca were doing all they could legally do to force him out of the door. The Dutchman made it abundantly clear he wasn't going to move to Manchester but United did not relent, they continued their futile pursuit for months to the extent they started the season without the new midfield talisman required to drive Ten Hag's revolution.
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Christian Eriksen was signed in a smart free transfer but it was soon made obvious he wasn't going to be enough. Opening back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Brentford exposed just how weak United were in midfield and highlighted the urgent need for further recruitment.
De Jong was finally abandoned and in a remarkable stroke of good fortune, United turned their attention to Spain's other giant club and managed to snag one of their great midfielders instead. Some scoffed at the £60million price tag for Casemiro but he soon proved his worth by becoming the classy, combative and experienced presence United lacked so much. It was the Brazilian's partnership with Eriksen that sparked United's drastic improvement and it was only fitting he scored the opening goal as the club ended its trophy drought.
Everything worked out well in the end but it wasn't by design. Casemiro was a contingency, an unplanned reaction to circumstances, a last throw of the dice after a bungled window. What if Real Madrid didn't want to sell him? What if he didn't want to go? Things could have just as easily gone in the other direction and it was no planning or foresight on United's behalf that led to the success.
Had they not signed someone of Casemiro's calibre after spending the summer failing to land De Jong, where would United be now? Given their struggles when either Casemiro or Eriksen were unavailable, it's hard to see them having lifted the Carabao Cup or qualified for the Champions League. Ten Hag's standing at the club might not be on quite as sturdy ground.
Which is why Mount is now being sought. Beyond Casemiro and Eriksen, both in their 30s, United's midfield options are lacking in technical quality. Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek have never been good enough consistently enough and it would be no surprise if any of them departed in the window.
Mount would bring the tactical intelligence, versatility and elegance on the ball they lack while bringing the age of the midfield down. He is an ideal target (especially with De Jong still going nowhere) but how long can United spend chasing him while potential alternatives pass them by?
Personal terms have already been agreed but a third bid has been rejected by Chelsea, who appear to be holding on for an astronomical fee for a player with just a year remaining on his contract. United have cited the £47m Chelsea paid Manchester City for Raheem Sterling last year when the winger also had a year remaining on his deal yet their offers have already exceeded that amount and been turned down.
It's understood there is still a belief that the deal could be concluded swiftly but the longer it rumbles on the longer this summer begins to look like the last, with United potentially leaving their squad short on quality and quantity when the season starts. Especially as other positions need urgent attention, too.
A great slice of luck meant last year's near-total transfer window disaster was avoided but to rely on luck once again is just asking for trouble. They can't afford to make the same mistake.
