Two years ago, Manchester City and Manchester United did battle off the pitch for the services of Samir Nasri from Arsenal. Then, 12 months later, the cheque book war between the city rivals centred around Robin van Persie from the same club.
And if newspaper reports are to be believed, the duo are preparing for a third confrontation over Barcelona's attacking midfielder Thiago Alcantara over the coming weeks.
So, first of all, what would the Manchester clubs be getting for their money?
For a start - a bargain. It is believed that the release clause in the 22-year-old's contract at the Camp Nou is worth just £18m. Potential suitors have until the beginning of August to trigger that before it rises to a hefty £81m.
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The Spanish international, who was born in Italy and grew up in Brazil (not bad grounding for a professional footballer), is most comfortable playing as the link man between the deeper midfielders and the centre-forwards.
He's your typical Spanish footballer who seems to play with his head up at all times, allowing him to be fully aware of what is around him. Like most graduates of Barca's La Masia academy, he is comfortable to receive possession in congested areas of the pitch and also has an eye for goal.
Why leave Barcelona?
While there is no doubt that he is valued among the coaching and playing staff, the fact of the matter is that when Barca are at full strength, Thiago is not part of their starting lineup. What player wouldn't find it hard to dislodge Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta?
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Nevertheless, if Thiago is a player with ambitions to prove himself at the highest level, Barca may not be the place fulfil them. From the team's Champions League quarter-final and semi-final matches against Paris Saint-German and Bayern Munich last season, he played just 26 minutes in total from a possible 360.
It's the same story when matches against Real Madrid come around. The statistics show that he made 27 appearances in La Liga last term, but many were from the bench.
Hence the reported scramble from the North-West of England as the Manchester pair look to take advantage of Thiago's lack of action in the encounters that really matter.
How would he fit in at Man City?
For Thiago to gain regular football at the Etihad Stadium, alterations and possibly even departures would have to happen. With Jesus Navas expected to sign shortly and David Silva's place all but guaranteed, that is two slots in the lineup claimed.
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Thiago would arguably fit better into a 4-5-1 formation, so theoretically he could slot in alongside his fellow Spaniards, with perhaps Sergio Aguero as a lone striker. If that were to happen, you'd imagine that the futures of both Carlos Tevez and Nasri would become uncertain. After all, neither strike you as the type of player that is willing to sit among the substitutes for too long.
Behind the Spanish trio would be Yaya Toure and potentially Fernandinho and all of a sudden, City have a midfield quintet that would arguably be among the strongest in Europe.
How would he fit in at Man United?
Like City, very little is known as to which style United will adopt next season. Through the years the Red Devils have been famed for their wingers, but at Everton their incoming manager David Moyes tended to play with a single frontman and a packed midfield.
Should he implement that formation at Old Trafford, Thiago could feature behind Van Persie and alongside Shinji Kagawa, Wilfried Zaha, Antonio Valencia, Tom Cleverley, Nani, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck or Ryan Giggs (delete appropriately).
Sports Mole's verdict - who will he join?
Both clubs are thought to be keen, but it wouldn't be a surprise if City's interest is the stronger of the two. They are thought to be open to the possibility of selling Nasri and Tevez anyway, which as explained, would open up space for Thiago.
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Manuel Pellegrini, who is expected to take on the manager's job soon, would also know all about the attacker from his long stint in Spain. His first choice is said to be Isco from his former club Malaga, but the youngster is close to joining Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain. Thiago would be a more than an adequate second choice and it appears that it is an area of the pitch that the Chilean coach would like to strengthen.
From a United point of view, it would be a bold move if Moyes were to drop the 4-4-2 formation. Obviously the proof would be in the results, but initially it would not go down too well with the United faithful. Trying to fit Thiago into that system could prove difficult because with Barca and the national team, he has never experienced it.
What's more, United are more in need elsewhere - that long list above proves that. They haven't signed an experienced and established central-midfield player since Owen Hargreaves in 2007 and now only have Michael Carrick who is a natural in that role. Moves for either Kevin Strootman or Marouane Fellaini seem more likely.
Liam Apicella
