Man Utd want one more midfield signing this summer and at the moment the trail on a third recruit has gone cold as they weigh up the market.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Rodri
Aurelien Tchouameni and Rodri battle for the ball during the World Cup semi-final
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With two new midfielders signed up by the middle of July, Manchester United have breathing space when it comes to their third new recruit in that area of the pitch. Andrey Santos has already played in pre-season and Youri Tielemans is due to link up with his new teammates in the next couple of weeks.
The identity of that third new signing remains up in the air. United are likely to be priced out of a move to Alex Scott and there is no desperate desire to land what is considered a 'marquee' signing in that position.
In fact, the noises recently have suggested another deal in a similar price range to Tielemans (£35million) and Santos (£50million), but there might be one player who changes that stance.
While United have stepped away from attempts to sign some midfielders this summer, they have kept their stance open on Aurelien Tchouameni. There has been no attempt to sign him from Real Madrid, but if the Spanish giants suddenly decide to sell, United are expected to be at the front of the queue.
The issue with Tchouameni has always been whether Real would ever decide to sell, and if they did, that it was likely to happen later in the window. The fact that United now have two new midfielders means they can afford to wait and see for at least a little longer yet.
The trail had seemed to run cold on the France international when he signed a new five-year deal at the Bernabeu a couple of weeks ago. That is probably that.
Jose Mourinho has made it clear he wants to keep the 26-year-old and Real's unusual decision to put out a statement insisting they have no interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez seemed to reinforce the idea that the midfield would remain unchanged.
But there is one player that might yet set the wheels in motion on some midfield mayhem, and that is the midfielder who has just won the Golden Ball at the World Cup to add a couple more trophies to an astonishing CV.
Rodri has never been shy about his admiration for Real Madrid and with a year left on his deal at Manchester City, there have been noises again since Sunday's final that he wants to move to the Spanish capital. City have offered the 30-year-old a new contract and want him to stay, but as yet it remains unsigned.
He is now set to have surgery on what is described as a minor issue and it feels like this potential transfer saga might have a few twists and turns to come. Florentino Perez would love to sign the World Cup-winning captain of Spain, but he could also get him for free next summer if Rodri decides not to extend his stay at the Etihad.
If Real do decide to make a move this summer, and Rodri tries to make the transfer happen, that could change things. There might then be a midfield sale required at the Bernabeu and Tchouameni is considered the most likely to bring in a good fee, even if Real might prefer to sell Eduardo Camavinga.
United have made a good start on their midfield rebuild, and as it stands, a deal for Tchouameni remains unlikely. But there is a scenario that could see dominoes fall this summer to put it back on the table.