Liverpool will shell out an initial £20million for Thiago Alcantara as the longest running transfer saga of their summer comes to an end.
The Reds have been linked with a move for the Bayern Munich midfielder since before the end of last season, when he helped the German giants win their sixth Champions League crown in the revamped end to the tournament in Lisbon.
The former Barcelona midfielder effectively said goodbye to the club after that, as his seven year spell - in which he had won seven Bundesliga titles - was seen to be coming to an end.
But with one year left on his Bayern contract, a game of brinkmanship between Liverpool and Bayern began, with the Reds' sporting director Michael Edwards becoming renowned in the game for driving a hard bargain.
The result is an impressive deal which will see one of the game's most revered central midfielders move to Anfield at a knockdown price.
The 29-year-old will sign a four-year contract at Liverpool, with his guaranteed £20million price take being paid over the course of that deal, meaning the Reds have only shelled out £5million upfront.
The remaining £6million of the £26million deal comes in performance related clauses and bonuses that could have to be paid to the German champions.
These include the Reds winning both the Premier League and Champions League again as Thiago plays a significant part in the victories.
There are also triggers relating to individual prizes that he may win while he's at Liverpool,including the Ballon d'Or.
With the midfielder due on Merseyside for his medical, he could make his debut in next Thursday's Carabao Cup third round tie at Lincoln City.
The Reds then face Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield on Monday, September 28.
