Exactly a year after Eric Bailly became Manchester United's first signing under Jose Mourinho, a new centre-back has heralded what will be another summer of huge outlays.
Following Victor Lindelof's arrival, another three signings are expected and the next figure through the door looks set to be Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.
Mourinho then wants a direct, hard-working winger and all signs point towards Ivan Perisic being that man - with Inter Milan's demands not expected to be an issue.
Finally, there is the small matter of Michael Carrick's heir.
Since Carrick joined United in 2006, more than £214 million has been plundered on central midfielders, three permanent managers have come and gone and Paul Scholes was re-signed.
And, yet, Carrick has remained an ever-present and was deservedly rewarded with a new one-year contract ahead of his testimonial earlier this month.
The veteran has kept himself remarkably fresh in his 30s with only two lengthy lay-offs - 78 days with an ankle ailment in 2014 and 116 days with a calf injury in 2015.
But, despite a strong end to 2016, Carrick only started 17 of United's final 35 fixtures of the season as Mourinho's side battled on all four fronts.
Burdening Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini with extra responsibilities in his absence is not sustainable if United want to be challenging for major honours.
(No offence to the Community Shield, Jose).
With Carrick set to turn 36 next month, United need to begin to plan for life after their majestic No.16 - even if he remains a crucial figure in the dressing room.
With five league medals in his back pocket, Carrick is one of only four players in the squad to have won the Premier League more than once.
And, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to depart, and skipper Wayne Rooney likely to follow him, that title-winning experience will be crucial.
But there is a difference between demanding Carrick play two games a week and tapping into his experience by using him to close out games with the occasional start.
It begs the question: who could fill his sizable boots?
Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is interested in a move to Old Trafford after the Reds qualified for the Champions League following their Europa League final win over Ajax.
Chelsea have since made formal contact and the 22-year-old is currently in negotiations with the Premier League champions, but a deal has not yet been agreed.
Although he is capable of the odd ball over the top, Bakayoko is not a like-for-like replacement for Carrick and works best in Mourinho's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
If Bakayoko does move to Stamford Bridge, it may affect Nemanja Matic's position at the club.
But Antonio Conte would loath to lose the Serbian, having already let key dressing room figures like John Terry and Asmir Begovic leave Stamford Bridge.
Eric Dier ticks a few boxes as Mourinho looks to maintain a homegrown spine in his team, but Spurs have been notoriously difficult to deal with over the years.
Given the various complications it should not come as a surprise that finding that perfect defensive midfielder has not been straightforward for United.
Indeed, it would be a surprise if Mourinho managed to have all four of his priority signings in place by the time his squad report back for pre-season on July 8.
But that is not necessarily a bad thing as they look to clinch what is sure to be a complicated deal for Carrick's rightful heir.
Not since Roy Keane's acrimonious departure in 2005 have United needed to get a succession plan so right. On the field at least.
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