Real Madrid have given Manchester United the green light to push ahead with a transfer for midfield lynchpin Casemiro.
News of the Red Devils' interest caused a stir in the football world, with the odds appearing stacked against them given the Brazilian's long-term attachment to his current club.
But at the age of 30 Madrid have determined that the midfielder may well be expendable, if they receive an offer too good to refuse.
Sky Sports report that the reigning Liga and Champions League champions would be open to a sale worth more than £60 million.
While Casemiro is greatly admired at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, he is no longer seen as an essential part of Carlo Ancelotti's first-team plans.
Why would Madrid sell Casemiro?
Madrid are in fact well-covered in his signature position at the base of midfield, with new signing Aurelien Tchouameni joining fellow youngsters Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde in providing plenty of depth, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are both tied to the club through this season and are a vital source of experience and talent.
Indeed, Casemiro failed to make Ancelotti's first Liga starting XI of the new season last weekend, playing just eight minutes off the bench after the Italian opted for Tchouameni, Camavinga and Kroos in the middle.
Whether or not the player himself is willing to move, though, is in his hands.
There is no guarantee that Casemiro will be willing to move to a club in the Europa League, while Madrid will not oblige him to accept a transfer.
The Brazilian moved to the Bernabeu from Sao Paulo in 2012 and has gone on to make more than 300 appearances for the club, featuring in no fewer than five Champions League triumphs over the past decade.