For many onlookers, Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool for £20million looks an absolute steal.
The Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football at the moment.
The 29-year-old guided Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga and Champions League titles last season, meaning he has won the league title for the past eight seasons in a row (seven with Bayern and one with Barcelona).
With his contract at Bayern due to end at the end of the 2020/21 season, the German giants decided to cash in, rather than let him leave on a free next year, with £20million regarded as a snip for a player of his calibre.
The fact that Liverpool were the only team remotely interested in his services was something of a surprise.
But it turns out both Chelsea and Arsenal were offered the chance to sign him before the Reds completed the deal.
That was because Bayern were keen to see if they could eke any extra money out of the transfer, and so contacted the two London clubs about a potential move, according to the Athletic.
The reports states that Bayern were keen to start a bidding war for the midfield man, in an attempt to ramp up the price - a move that ultimately failed.
Why the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal were not interested remains to be seen, given Thiago's pedigree and the honours he has won in Germany and Spain.
Will it be one the two London sides live to regret?
