Sheffield United forward Lys Mousset is currently being monitored by Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas ahead of a potential winter move, possibly ending what has been a largely unsuccessful two-and-a-half years at Bramall Lane.
This interest was reported by Fotomac, who go on to say representatives at the Turkish club will enter into negotiations with the Blades next month, giving both sides plenty of time to negotiate ahead of the January window as the two teams prepare their respective transfer plans.
Two wingers and a defensive midfielder are at the top of manager Slavisa Jokanovic's priority list according to the man himself, desperately needing more threat from out wide after adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation and arguably requiring the latter as well amid Sander Berge and Adelene Guedioura's injury struggles, with Conor Hourihane not exactly covering himself in glory since his loan move from Aston Villa.
One position where they arguably have a surplus of options though is up top. Switching from two in attack to just one, this has seen a number of top-quality strikers not even being included in the South Yorkshire outfit's matchday squads for some games, as the likes of Oli McBurnie, Rhian Brewster and David McGoldrick have found out this season.
With Mousset in the mix and veteran Billy Sharp continuing to be a reliable option in the second tier, they undoubtedly have too many options to play with, costing them an unnecessary amount in wages and possibly leaving the board hesitant to heavily invest in the squad in January amid potential concerns over their wage bill now they're back in the second tier.
This isn't even considering Oliver Burke, who could be in line to leave the club, and promising forward Daniel Jebbison who is reportedly the subject of interest from Real Madrid after impressing Carlo Ancelotti.
Mousset may be the more youthful option to have compared to the likes of Sharp and McGoldrick, but the Blades need one thing more than anything else in their current situation: reliability.
The Frenchman is a talented individual, there can be no doubts about that. But his injury record makes him a figure the South Yorkshire outfit would probably be willing to cash in on during the January window.
Not only does his contract situation mean this is the best time to cash in on him whilst they can, having 18 months left on his deal if you include the one-year extension clause in his contract, but the reported timing of the negotiations between United and interested side Besiktas is also nothing short of a dream.
Entering discussions next month will allow officials to get a feel for two things. Firstly, if striking an agreement is a realistic prospect.
And secondly, if so, the rough figure they will receive for the 25-year-old's services, allowing the English side's hierarchy to set an estimated budget 53-year-old Jokanovic will have to work with in the winter window as he pursues three players.
This budget could determine whether they decide to pursue loan deals or permanent moves, therefore completely changing the targets they pursue
After waiting until the last minute to complete most of their business in the previous transfer window, acting quickly in January will be crucial in helping to integrate new arrivals into the squad as quickly as possible ahead of a potential promotion push.
The possibility of getting negotiations for Mousset's departure wrapped up in time for the beginning of the next calendar year will enable United to do this, allowing them to bring in the three players the Blades boss desperately wants.
There may also be the funds to recruit a promising young forward for the future to compete with the likes of Brewster, McBurnie and Jebbison in the long term.
Both may have been underwhelming during their time at the club so far, but the duo have proven before that they can be real assets and under someone of Jokanovic's calibre, the Serbian could get them firing once again like they both were at Swansea City in the past.
One eye needs to be kept on the future, even though their present situation has stolen most of their attention, and the sale of Mousset may just be crucial in the long run with other strikers receiving more first-team opportunities to make their mark.
It's unfortunate for the Frenchman, because the stubbornness of his current manager in retaining England youth international Brewster and sticking with his current system means there's a stronger case to cash in on him.
But that's football - and he will be looking to kick on elsewhere.