Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann surprisingly named Frenkie de Jong as the best player he has ever lined out against.
The massive sum splashed out by Barca's board on the Ajax starlet came as just the latest confirmation that de Jong is widely-viewed as a potential world-beater.
And one of the 21-year-old's future La Liga rivals has this evening backed this suggestion, by incredibly going as far as to claim that de Jong is the best player he has ever faced on the pitch.
The individual to have waxed lyrical regarding the midfielder's talents was Atletico Madrid hitman Antoine Griezmann, who, after being questioned on his toughest opponent during an interview with Oh My Goal, explained:
'I would say Frenkie de Jong. Because I tried to pressure him but I never succeeded.'
To be clear, Griezmann also went on to name Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the greatest players of all-time.
Despite those complimentary words on De Jong, the talented youngster can not yet be viewed as one of the greatest players of all time, with the usual suspects being listed by Griezmann when asked for his choices.
"Best player of all time? Well you know it depends on the era but I would say Messi or Cristiano," he added.
"I never saw how Pele or Maradona played. It's a tough question. Everyone has their own style."
"There's also Zidane. Zidane won the World Cup. Messi and Ronaldo never have."
Griezmann was also asked about his favourite ever-team mate, with a player renowned for his uncompromising style surely a popular selection among those who have had the fortune of being on the same side as him.
"I would say Diego Costa for the support he gives me on the field. He allows me to play so freely.
"He's a guy I work really well with on the pitch. We understand each other with a single look, we know where we're both at.
"On top of that, he's a fighter, and he brings that out in me, which I love. It's rare to have that with a team-mate."