So it begins. Liverpool set the transfer merry-go-round in motion on Friday by agreeing the capture of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.
The Reds have opted to trigger the player's release clause - valued at around £36million - to make the 22-year-old the 26th player to have been signed for the senior squad under Jurgen Klopp.
While the transfer is subject to international clearance and a successful work permit application, few issues are anticipated.
The not insignificant outlay for the Frenchman means Konate will become the second most-expensive defender in Liverpool's history after Virgil van Dijk.
And once the deal is confirmed - the player will officially join when the transfer window opens on July 1 - it will make Konate one of the most pricey Anfield arrivals of all time.
Liverpool top 10 most expensive transfers
Virgil van Dijk - £75m from Southampton, January 2018
Alisson Becker - £65m (£56m plus add-ons) from Roma, July 2018
Naby Keita - £52.75m from RB Leipzig, July 2018
Diogo Jota - £45m (£41m plus add-ons) from Wolverhampton Wanderers, September 2020
Mohamed Salah - £43.9m (£36.9m plus add-ons) from Roma, June 2017
Fabinho - £43.7m (£39.9m plus add-ons) from Monaco, July 2018
Ibrahima Konate - £36m from RB Leipzig, July 2021
Andy Carroll - £35m from Newcastle United, January 2011
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - £35m from Arsenal, August 2017
Christian Benteke - £32.5m from Aston Villa, July 2015
