Sandro Tonali's future is unlikely to be decided anytime soon as talks continue between the Newcastle United star's agent and Premier League clubs.
Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to throw their hat in the ring for the Italian international, who could leave Tyneside this summer as part of a huge squad rebuild.
There has been plenty interest in Tonali, with Manchester United, Man City and Arsenal all keeping tabs on the player. The trio - who filled the top three positions in the Premier League - are all looking to strengthen their engine room this summer.
Spurs' emergence as a contender for Tonali came out of the blue. The north London outfit only escaped relegation on the final day of the season and have finished 17th two seasons in a row. However, they have held talks with Tonali's representatives over a potential transfer, with the player himself said to be 'keen' on a move.
Tottenham are being backed by the Lewis family, who own the club and are willing to invest heavily this summer.
Spurs last night had a whopping £52million bid for Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke accepted - as well as the Seagulls insisting on a 20% sell-on clause. It is a huge sum for a centre-half who has just 12 months left on his contract, but sets a benchmark, as does Man City's pursuit of Elliot Anderson. As good as the Whitley Bay lad is, for Nottingham Forest to reject a £120m offer shows where the market is at.
Spurs are understood to be willing to pay £85m to land Tonali but if Van Hecke is worth £52m with a year left on his deal, then Tonali - who has a contract running until 2030 - is worth at least double, especially in light of Anderson's valuation. The England man has improved no end since he left the Magpies but it's still just two years since he couldn't get in the Newcastle team ahead of the Italian.
Spurs will have to cough up if they are serious about signing Tonali - and Newcastle will hold firm.
De Zerbi is wielding his influence in north London. His stock is high after helping Spurs avoid relegation at the death, having been parachuted in with just a few games to go. The board, grateful for what he did and eager to make amends after a disastrous season, are ready to back him in the transfer market.
As well as the £52m on Van Hecke, they are trying to sign Savinho from Manchester City, with the Brazilian reportedly around the £60m mark. Throw in a £100m fee for Tonali and that would represent a £210m transfer splurge. De Zerbi is also wanting a striker this summer so that number could rise even more.
Key to it all, however, according to sources at Tottenham, is the capture of Tonali. De Zerbi has made it clear to his compatriot's representatives how his new-look team will be built around the Italy international.
Tonali came through at De Zerbi's hometown club Brescia before moving on to AC Milan and then Newcastle. This link is what Spurs hope will help sway the midfielder, along with the 'project' and a huge wage hike.
It would be a statement signing by Spurs but to secure it they must show Newcastle the money - and lots of it.
A bid has yet to be registered with Newcastle yet, although as the Magpies found out with Alexander Isak last summer that doesn't really matter. Toon chiefs are keen to avoid another transfer saga this time around but with the World Cup and other deals linked, Tonali is unlikely to exit any time soon.