Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim's attempt to relax expectations among supporters with potential signings this summer all point to one deal not happening.
After watching his team suffer a disappointing defeat at Nottingham Forest in midweek, United are preparing for a frenetic two months that could mould Amorim's first full season in charge.
United take on Manchester City on Sunday before three extremely tough fixtures against Newcastle and the two-legged Europa League quarter-final games against Lyon.
With United's Premier League form cluttered, focus has switched to the summer transfer window with Amorim expected to push for a overhaul of his squad. However, the job on the recruitment team's hands is set to be tougher than first anticipated.
On Friday, Amorim admitted he wanted "one or two big players" to come through the door and improve his team. But, in what seems to be an attempt to cool the excitement among the thousands inside Old Trafford, the Portuguese head coach seems well aware of what is realistically possible at the club in the short-term future.
"Other teams, they already are in a place that we need a lot to catch them and they will improve for sure next season," he explained. "Again, I just want to focus on our strengths and then try to use our club and bring one or two big players. Sometimes big players for me is different from you."
A quick search on social media, YouTube and the internet will show hundreds of supporters wanting to see the big names come to United. In the last week, Viktor Gyokeres, Nico Williams, Eberechi Eze and Feredico Valverde have all been linked with United.
Williams is understood to be at the top of Arsenal's transfer radar while Eze is also expected to push for a move to a Champions League side. Valverde, who has won everything possible at Real Madrid, is a far-fetched dream.
Gyokeres has been on United's radar since Amorim moved to England last year but as the weeks have ticked away, a move for the Sweden international has dwindled. Recently, Give Me Sport have claimed that Arsenal have taken the pole position for the striker as a result of United deciding against him.
The report adds that Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray, and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap are both more-realistic arrivals. Matheus Cunha and Hugo Ekitike have also been linked, though they both could cost a significant amount of United's transfer budget.
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