It has become one of the most recognisable rumblings in world football. And one all too familiar to Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.
With Gini Wijnaldum's contract situation remaining unresolved, reports from both Spain and his native Holland have indicated Barcelona are considering a move for one of Jurgen Klopp's most trusted lieutenants.
Such interest has been touted ever since Ronald Koeman swapped his role as Dutch national team coach to take over at the club where he enjoyed his best years as a player.
A genius isn't required to join the dots.
Koeman has previously worked with Wijnaldum. Barcelona's engine room needs rejuvenating. And the midfielder is the only member of the Liverpool first-team squad not to commit his long-term future to Anfield.
And when a Spanish giant comes knocking at any club, it often proves difficult to resist.
This time, though, matters are somewhat different.
Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Javier Mascherano all left Anfield for Camp Nou during the past decade to further their careers and improve chances of silverware, decisions ultimately justified.
Wijnaldum has no such issues at Liverpool. A departure - and there has been no sign yet of him wanting to leave during this transfer window, despite the long impasse over contracts talks - would be to take on a fresh challenge.
Certainly, Liverpool won't find themselves in quite the same situation as back in 1999 when they were disappointed Steve McManaman, their most valuable player at the time, departed to Real Madrid for nothing after running down his contract.
That was during the early days post-Bosman ruling, after which the Reds vowed not to allow such a situation to happen again.
Indeed, when Michael Owen followed the path to the Bernabeu in 2004 on a cut-price deal having entered the final 12 months of his contract, Liverpool were wary of being burnt once more, and were not in anywhere near as strong a position as they are now.
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Klopp has taken a slightly different tack.
He had no qualms making use of Emre Can in the final season before the latter moved on a free to Juventus in 2018, and Wijnaldum would no doubt receive the same treatment, arguably strengthening Liverpool's bargaining position should Barcelona come calling.
Want Wijnaldum? Then pay the asking price.
The complication, of course, is the fate of Thiago Alcantara, the Bayern Munich midfielder of whom Klopp is a huge admirer and who, like Wijnaldum, is 29 years old and in the last year of his present deal.
Liverpool haven't made any official move yet. But then Klopp - and, indeed, Fenway Sports Group - has never been one to buy players for the sake of it.
There must be a reason for Thiago being bought. That, presumably, would be the exit of Wijnaldum. And if Liverpool want a fair price for the Dutchman from Barcelona, who can blame Bayern for wanting the same for their departing Spaniard?
Somebody has to blink first. October 5 remains weeks away, but this is a three-way stand-off in which nobody seemingly wants to make the initial move.
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