3.     Long-term buy

If Moyes and United can facilitate a deal for Koke, who is a supremely talented young player, then he can be a hugely important player for the team for years to come. Of course, Atletico would be reluctant to sell. However, they have regularly moved on their star players with a view to paying off some debts and reinvesting in the squad. £30 million for a young player might be too tempting a sum to turn down.

Of players courted linked with a move to United in the January window, including Southampton skipper Adam Lallana and Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus, Koke seems to be the most likely and the most attainable target. He would bring plenty to a toiling Red Devils’ midfield despite the fact that he is still young and still learning at the top level. Already a class act, there is seemingly no cap on how good he could become and when one looks at this potential deal from a long-term perspective, £30 million may just turn out to be an astute piece of business.