Like Isco, Saul Niguez is a player that is seemingly always linked with a move to Manchester City and, like Isco, Saul will not be joining the Blues.
City's Premier League title rivals Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid in a deal that sees the Spain international move to London on a one-year loan worth €5 million.
After missing out on Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, City's only new recruits this summer have been Jack Grealish and Scott Carson. Yet, earlier in the window, Saul was high up on the list of players linked to the club.
City were reportedly interested in bringing Saul to the Etihad Stadium in a swap deal involving wantaway star Bernardo Silva, but that was quickly ruled out by both clubs.
Sceptics will say that City are stacked in midfield, but in hindsight, such a deal would have suited all parties involved.
Saul rose to prominence over the course of the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons as an attacking midfielder, playing either in the centre or on the left flank. However, in recent years he has moved around a lot, almost taking on a utility role in Diego Simeone's side with even the occasional appearance at left-back thrown into the mix.
Chelsea have signed Saul to play in a double-six pivot, though it's unlikely that he'll push either Jorginho or N'Golo Kante out of Thomas Tuchel's starting XI.
Had he come to City and Bernardo gone the other way, he would likely have been afforded a lot of game time.
Rodri is Fernandinho's long-term replacement as City's defensive midfielder, but there are games where the Spaniard looks cumbersome and sluggish.
Rodri performs best when he has the legs of Bernardo and Ilkay Gundogan around him, but when those two don't play, he can look isolated. If Bernardo moves on next summer - something which is likely given his desire to leave - then Saul would've been a perfect replacement in the number-eight role.
Saul would have also provided another option as a defensive midfielder. In some games, particularly those at home against lower-table opposition, City simply don't need an out-and-out holding midfielder.
In Saul, they could have had a hybrid between a Rodri and a Bernardo; someone with great passing range and vision, but also someone who can defend and cover vast areas of the midfield.
City have benefitted greatly from versatile players in recent years; think James Milner and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Getting another would have been smart business.
Admittedly, City's failure to pursue a deal for Saul is going to define their season. Nevertheless, snubbing the chance to replace a player that wants to leave with someone that can replace his attacking output but also offer defensive cover feels like an opportunity missed.
When Bernardo leaves and Fernandinho is phased out, City might have to spend big to replace them. Swapping Bernardo for Saul would have been cost-effective and in keeping with the team's style and needs.
Do you think City should have signed Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid? Follow our new City Fan Brands Writer Alex Brotherton on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
