With a move for No 1 target Harry Kane looking increasingly unlikely - as Tottenham refuse to play ball - Manchester City have turned their attention elsewhere. But their alternative ain't half bad.
Sportsmail reported on Wednesday night that City are weighing up a shock swoop for Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, who in the past two years has been the most prolific goalscorer in Europe.
What's more, there's history here between player and manager. Pep Guardiola signed the Poland captain in 2014 at Bayern, and coached him to two Bundesliga titles and a German Cup in two illustrious seasons at the Allianz Arena.
Robert Lewandowski had two successful seasons under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich
Man City boss could turn his attention to the Pole after seeing a bid rejected for Harry Kane
After making the move from Borussia Dortmund, Guardiola took Lewandowski's all-round game to the next level.
His chief No 9 in a typically fluid system, Guardiola utilised Lewandowski to supreme effectiveness, with the Pole's pressing and intuition of the game undeniably improving.
In fact, Lewandowski referenced as much when Guardiola left in 2016, saying: 'I can only say that every player – no matter how long he was with us – has learned a great deal from Pep. He improved every single player.
'Guardiola's footsteps are big. I can only say good things about Guardiola.
'These two years with him have been a great time, and I have learned many things.'
Goals-wise, the first campaign was slow but steady, with 25 conversions in 49 matches in all competitions. Nonetheless, a German title was secured, though it was disappointment in the Champions League as they succumbed in the semi-finals to a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona.
The pair won two German titles together and Lewandowski has been complimentary of Pep
Remember the Argentine turning Jerome Boateng inside-out at the Camp Nou? That's the one.
The following year was similarly contradictory for Pep's Bayern: double success at home this time, but again an agonising semi-final exit in Europe, this time at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
But this time, in 2015-16, Lewandowski had then the best goalscoring season of his career, netting 42 times over 51 matches.
Then again, with Pep it's never just about goals. Speaking in the midst of that season, the striker said: 'I don't think the coach approaches me differently when I score more goals.
Lewandowski has noted it is not all about personal accolades when playing under Guardiola
It's the same. I'm sure he is happy with my goals, but he also wants me to
