Alejandro Garnacho will leave Manchester United this summer, and Ruben Amorim needs the transfer funds generated to re-invest in his mammoth rebuild. That said, amid links to Arsenal and Chelsea, a switch to one of United's 'Big Six' rivals would turn a sour taste already on the tongue into the burning of many a bridge.
Garnacho's relationship with many supporters is already at breaking point due to his antics in the aftermath of the crushing Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The 20-year-old posted up his best individual campaign yet with 11 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, yet his attitude has come under dispute. His self-centred post-match comments in Bilbao were the final straw for thousands, including, it seems, his head coach, Ruben Amorim.
Days later, Amorim reportedly told Garnacho to look for a new club in front of his team-mates in a season debriefing.
That brutal dressing down fired the starting gun in the race for the Argentina international's signature.
According to the Independent, United value Garnacho at £70million, seemingly hoping Amorim's ruthless stance hasn't impacted their selling position.
Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli are also said to be monitoring Garnacho as an option, as are Aston Villa.
It's claimed that any move from Villa would depend on the future of talented attacker Morgan Rogers, who is also the subject of interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Should Arsenal formalise their interest and eventually seal an exciting deal for Rogers, the door would open for Garnacho to move to Villa Park.
The United No. 17 reportedly would prefer to remain in the Premier League, and the Midlands represents a far more attractive destination among the Old Trafford terraces than Arsenal or Chelsea.
Yet, even if the Gunners do their rivals a favour by pursuing Rogers, there will be an acceptance in Manchester that offloading Garnacho has its risks.
Because there is no denying his talent and potential. Despite the starlet's flaws, he once again improved last season, and Villa could be the perfect platform to flourish further.
While the club isn't a direct rival of the Red Devils, they are one of the 14 who finished higher in the Premier League table.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other club chiefs will understand they can't afford to languish near the depths for much longer.
Allowing a top prospect like Garnacho to remain in the league could easily come back to haunt them, and an overseas sale would make considerably more sense.
United need cash to fund crucial incomings, though, which could leave Sir Jim and Co. no choice but to do business with an English counterpart.