Erik ten Hag is no stranger to delving into his contacts book when it comes to securing Manchester United signings.
The United chief raided former club Ajax last year to bring Antony and Lisandro Martinez to Old Trafford while the Dutch connection was evident in Wout Weghorst's January arrival. It would be no surprise to see Ten Hag pull out his little black book again this summer to further strengthen the United ranks.
And revisiting one of his former clubs could hand United a future superstar. Taylor Booth has been starring for FC Utrecht, a club Ten Hag managed between 2015 and 2017, and United's interest is seemingly hotting up amid their continued frustration to secure a deal for Chelsea's Mason Mount.
A host of Premier League sides and European clubs are circling Booth but Ten Hag has the connections to steal a march. The midfielder has caught the eye this term in what is proving a breakthrough campaign for the 22-year-old. He was the Dutch league's Player of the Month in November and has made 25 appearances across all competitions.
ALSO READ: Booth has already told United what they want to hear in midfielder search
While he only netted twice, goals are a part of his game and his ability to receive possession deep and retain the ball are attributes that would fit in with Ten Hag's style. Predominantly an attack-minded player, he has the energy to play a box-to-box role and the creativity to provide, as well as take, chances.
His form in the Netherlands prompted an international debut for America and, despite only arriving in Utrecht last year, a summer move seems inevitable. Booth took something of a leap of faith in joining the club, opting to turn down a new contract offer from Bayern Munich in search of first-team football.
He'd been at Bayern for three seasons but made only one senior appearance, as a sub in a 12-0 rout of fourth-tier Bremer in the cup. Having been spotted by Munich scouts while at Real Salt Lake's academy, the German giants swooped to bring the starlet to Europe, helped by an Italian passport.
It's a journey trodden by many, including Chelsea's Christian Pulisic, with the Bundesliga something of a breeding ground for American talent. Booth bucked the trend in joining Utrecht rather than staying put and developing in Germany but the decision has paid off.
United are one of a clutch of clubs keen on his services and Booth, who could have declared his international allegiance to Italy, has always dreamed of playing on the biggest stage. They don't come much bigger than Old Trafford.
"I'm flattered if the national teams of USA or Italy think about me or clubs in the Premier League, La Liga or Serie A," he said earlier this season. "Since I was a little boy playing soccer in the basement of our home in Eden, I've always said you can't dream big enough."
Booth's rise from Utah to one of the most talked about talents in Europe has not been all smooth sailing. As a baby he suffered from torticollis or 'flopping neck' and needed round-the-clock therapy for the first five months of his life.
"I remember saying, 'I hope he's healthy'," his mother told Deseret News. "So he's gone from needing physical therapy as a baby to being on the US National Teams and he thinks it's normal. What he doesn't realise is that there was a time when I just thought, 'I hope his lungs work and his brain works'."
There is no doubting that now. Booth has carved out a career in Europe and looks destined to make the next step come the summer. Ten Hag will need no introduction.
