Harry Kane's determination to secure a move to Manchester City this summer was clear.
The Tottenham striker lost out in his battle of wits with Daniel Levy, who refused to entertain his sale.
Kane turned 28 in the summer and was acutely aware that, for all his quality, his trophy cabinet remained bare.
The smart money is on City winning more trophies whilst it would be an outside punt if you were to back Tottenham ending their silverware drought.
The fear now is that Kane has missed the boat, not only because he will be a one year shy of 30 next summer, but because the alternatives continue to become more and more appealing.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are both tipped to rule football for the next decade, once Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo depart the stage.
The former is set for a move to Real Madrid, the club he supported as a boy.
Haaland's future, though, is far less clear. Plenty of suitors are lining up with City among them.
Some clubs are no longer in the running - Chelsea being one after Romelu Lukaku's arrival; Barcelona's finances make it difficult to consider them serious contenders; and Madrid could well be the other, provided they sign Mbappe.
Norwegian international Haaland has a release clause that comes into play when this season ends and that will make him much more attainable.
City clearly feel they are able to last another season without an elite striker - they didn't do too badly last season, hence their decision not to make any last ditch moves.
And with Ferran Torres being transitioned into a No.9 role, there is every chance Pep Guardiola can continue to sprinkle his tactical magic at the Etihad once more.
The former Barcelona boss will no doubt be keen to add Kane in 12 months' time, but the likelihood of that continues to decrease.
Yes the striker has shown himself capable of dropping deep, affecting and linking-up the play, which would suit this City system.
That said, the Manchester club, wise to the fact that there is life after Guardiola, will want to know they have a striker in place for the next decade.
City are not simply making signings for their Catalan coach, they are making signings for the future of the club.
That is why Haaland has such a great appeal and why Kane and Guardiola may not be able to form the marriage that, on paper, looks to be a perfect one.
Rarely have the Premier League champions spent big on a player who is entering his 30s.
That is exactly why so many eyebrows were raised at the potential signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Kane may well be a brilliant asset for the next five years, but is still likely to cost over £100m given how Levy will look to maximise the price of his player.
When you consider Haaland will be available for less money and is seven years Kane's junior, it becomes a tough sell.
Guardiola is not one to put himself before the club and was applauded for how he laid the foundations at Barcelona and Bayern Munich after leaving.
Signing Kane ahead of some of the alternatives would represent a huge shift and whilst the temptation will exist, the logic may well win out in favour of a Haaland pursuit.
