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Liverpool is staring down the barrel of a second contract stalemate in as many years. To make matters worse, Real Madrid is on the scene again, this time sniffing around Ibrahima Konate.
The center-back's deal expires at the end of the campaign. That means we're the best part of 90 days away from overseas clubs being able to negotiate, with no breakthrough in sight.
There is still time to find a resolution, just as the Reds managed to do last season in the cases of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. But the fact remains that as things stand, Xabi Alonso's side has a chance to poach half of the 2024/25 title-winning Liverpool back line, with the only fee paid being the one spent to release Trent Alexander-Arnold in time for the Club World Cup.
Only Konate knows for sure what exactly is causing the hold-up in a new deal at Anfield. There's certainly no guarantee that Real Madrid has got in his head.
But given recent history, Liverpool fans will clearly suspect as much. With that in mind, some developing transfer chaos at the Bernabeu will come as welcome news.
According to ESPN in Spain, there is a split at board level. Up until now, William Saliba had been the favored candidate, but his impending renewal with Arsenal has forced a rethink.
Konate has long been in the discussion. But while some board members view him as a "sensatonal transfer opportunity", not least given the lack of a fee, others are less convinced.
All in all, the situation is less unanimous than the one which brought Alexander-Arnold to the club. There are dissenting voices.
This is an unexpected turn in the developing saga. There has been something of an assumption that Real Madrid will be ready and waiting if Liverpool continues to falter in efforts to renew Konate's contract, an assumption which is now being challenged.
Of course, that doesn't let Liverpool off the hook. The Reds are being linked with Dayot Upamecano, and the same report suggests Bayern could yet turn the tables and make its own move for Konate.
But Real Madrid's indecision undoubtedly provides a little bit of breathing room. The Spanish behemoth is one of maybe two or three clubs who can consistently turn the heads of Liverpool players, even when the Reds are reigning champions.
Regardless of the situation with Konate, Liverpool will want to add a new recruit or two in defense next summer. Van Dijk is 34 (albeit as good as ever), and Joe Gomez would likely be allowed to move on in the event that a suitable replacement could be found.
Marc Guehi could yet be back on the agenda after the collapse of his move on deadline day. The England international would be a very shrewd addition, especially on a free transfer.
But this carousel of potential Bosman deals leaves a great deal of uncertainty. There could be much churn in the elite center-back market, but it's very much a case of who blinks first as the clock continues to tick.
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