If there is one positive to take from Manchester United's prolonged pursuit of Mason Mount, it is that they are learning from the mistakes of last summer.
United spent 100 days infatuated with a move for Frenkie de Jong a year ago before marking their century with the signing of Casemiro instead.
The situation with Mount is different but shares enough similarities. Instead of it being the player who doesn't want to join, this time the sticking point is with the club instead.
United had no issue agreeing a fee with Barcelona, just as agreeing personal terms with Mount has been, though this time it is Chelsea who have proved to be the stumbling block. Read next: Roy Keane has given his verdict on United pursuit of Mount Erik ten Hag is a huge admirer of the Chelsea midfielder, but with a restricted summer budget and bigger priorities lying elsewhere, they can't afford to be drawn into needless transfer games.