Manchester United took their first major step forward in a summer of massive investment on Thursday, agreeing a fee with Chelsea for Mason Mount.
An initial payment of £55million will head to Stamford Bridge, with the 24-year-old set for a medical once he returns from holiday, having already agreed personal terms in May. United will hope they end up paying the extra £5million of performance-related add-ons, a small price for the success it would represent.
A technical midfielder has been towards the top of Erik ten Hag's shopping list since he arrived over a year ago. The failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong throughout last summer showed exactly what the Dutchman wanted, and his eagerness to prioritise Mount was further evidence.
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The England international fits the bill for a Ten Hag midfielder in that he is tactically malleable, technically gifted and hardworking. The argument the club overpaid for him is a fair one, particularly given he was entering the final 12 months of his contract.
And United do not have the luxury of infinite wealth - in fact it is quite the opposite. Financial Fair Play concerns have seen the purse strings tightened at Old Trafford, with Mount essentially cutting this summer's initial budget - believed to be around £100-120million - in half.
Ten Hag still wants a first choice goalkeeper and a world class striker, two positions he arguably needed more than a midfielder given the absence of current options in either role. But there is only so much money left to play with, albeit sales could boost the budget.
After weeks of being linked with top targets - Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Andre Onana, Diogo Costa - speculation this weekend has suggested a more frugal tone had been set. The Athletic reported on Saturday evening that contact had been made regarding Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, while Portuguese outlets suggested an interest in Porto striker Mehdi Taremi.
How concrete these links are remains to be seen, but it suggests United are facing an uncomfortable crossroads in which they will have to compromise on one transfer priority. Securing a prime target in both areas would likely set the club back at least £150million, a figure that cannot be reached with the sale of first-team fringe players, no matter how many are sold.
Goalkeeper seems the most likely position in to adapt, given the quality of options available. Bijlow has been a brilliant part of Feyenoord's title-winning side and is capable of playing out from the back, with the Dutch champions believed to want around £20million.
That money can be recouped simply by selling Dean Henderson to Nottingham forest - a move the player expected to happen - leaving the remaining £50million or so budget, plus any further sales, for a striker. Face-to-face talks with David De Gea will resume once he returns from getting married, and as much as the 32-year-old struggled last season, he would cost nothing but reduced wages.
United have viable options to reduce costs in that area, but cannot cut corners further forward. Wout Weghorst and Odion Ighalo are testament to that.
A world-class No.9 last season was the priority, and despite gaps opening up elsewhere, that hasn't changed. United have seen more than their fair share of stop-gap options, but cannot repeat the same mistake if they are serious about catching Manchester City and challenging for Premier League titles.
Compromise will be needed between now and September, and a tight budget will force decisions. It is up to Ten Hag to make the right ones.
