Forward Nicolas Jackson played a key role in among the summer window's most dramatic transfer stories, however finally achieved his goal by moving to Bayern Munich on loan from Chelsea.
It was clear to every participant in the deal that the young forward would soon meet his parent club when Bayern face Chelsea in their initial Champions League match on Wednesday.
Individuals assisting seal the stop-start agreement had ample opportunity around a chaotic deadline day to consider his debut for the European powerhouse in the elite Champions League.
Jackson was present in Germany the whole time as a deal was settled on Saturday morning, before permission to have a medical was called off because of a significant hamstring injury to Chelsea forward Liam Delap.
However, the transfer was reinstated by Monday's deadline.
During that time, Jackson told his agents he was excited about facing, and possibly scoring against, Chelsea.
This sentiment illustrates some of the emotions as Jackson left Stamford Bridge.
He probably to believe he has a score to settle to some of the Chelsea fans that were not entirely supportive of him, particularly showing disapproval during ex-coach Mauricio Pochettino's time in charge.
Some of the management, including gaffer Enzo Maresca, also started doubting in him after a pair of dismissals against Newcastle United in the Premier League and Flamengo in the Club World Cup at the end of last season.
That fracturing of the connection between Jackson and Chelsea, coupled with the arrival of strikers Joao Pedro and Delap, led to his exit of west London.
During his presentation at Bayern, Jackson said: "It was difficult - a difficult period. Challenging instances in those last days. But I was very confident I will stay here because this is the club I aimed for and wish to remain.
"Max Eberl, and the coach desired my services. It was extremely hard but in the end we got it, so I'm quite pleased.
"I observed Bayern all my life. It was a aspiration to join this giant institution. When they reached out I was overjoyed and ready to come and play for them."
But, this on-off-on transfer saga is just concluded for now, because the deal - a temporary move with a requirement to buy - seems not to be watertight.
Is Jackson Set to Join Bayern Permanently?
Jackson signed for Bayern Munich on deadline day for a multimillion-pound loan fee - close to a world record amount for a short-term move - with a stipulated requirement to buy for £56.2m.
Solely the temporary transfers that took Alvaro Morata from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid and then from the Spanish club to Juventus commanded bigger fees.
But, according to numerous German media reports, the terms to make the loan deal full are hard to fulfill.
Uli Hoeness, the one-time attacker who is an influential figure on Bayern's board, told Sky Germany during the international break: "He is unlikely to feature 40 games from the start.
"There remain 32 Bundesliga games. If we reach the Champions League final, which we hope we will, that adds 13 games. The combined is 45 games.
"The DFB Pokal games do not count. So he would have to start all these games. He will go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, so he won't be able to begin 40 games."
More information has been given that each outing of 45 minutes or more would qualify as a "start" for Jackson.
Hoeness also claimed that Jackson's Epic Sport agency, led by Ali Barat, covered the extra £1.3m added to the loan fee by Chelsea in the final moments before deadline, while hinting at the possibility that the Senegal striker could come back to west London next summer.
During inquiries about the arrangement at his unveiling press conference, Jackson said: "It's not my decision, my job is just to perform, make my team win and find the net frequently. My focus is only on pursuing big things."
Nevertheless, Chelsea are pleased with the monetary aspects and such a significant borrowing cost could incentivise Bayern to buy Jackson next summer.
Representatives from Bavaria have also suggested that, if Jackson performs well and displays a positive attitude over the year-long loan, he will secure a long-term future in Bavaria.
Their plan is for him to both compete with and enhance star striker Harry Kane.
Jackson had his debut as a interval replacement for the German champions during their 5-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, coming on for Serge Gnabry and playing alongside the England captain.
"I thought he looked energetic," said Kane. "During practices, he's looked very strong. It's difficult coming into a team like us when we're so organized.
"He physically is very robust and speedy. And if he plays, he'll be determined to prove himself. But I don't want to put too much pressure on him too soon.
"He knows he's integrating into the team. So far he's had a positive demeanor and the desire to improve is the crucial aspect."
Jackson is capable of playing as a forward or on the left flank, so has choices in terms of position. And at Bayern, he escapes the pressure of needing to be the main goalscorer, while his association with the England captain can only benefit him in the future.
"My wish is that he finds the net frequently for us. I think he'll succeed," said Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.
The responsibility now in Jackson's court. He can either stand out and stay at one of the world's largest teams or take a comparable route to Jadon Sancho, who rejoined Manchester United for a £5m penalty fee as Chelsea escaped their previous £20m purchase requirement agreement.
Why Didn't It Work Out at Chelsea?
The club from London and Jackson's team maintain the forward's time at Chelsea was a productive.
The club invested in three months of brilliant displays at Villarreal and decided to activate his £32m buyout option in 2023. He had greatly risen in value over a two-year period.
Jackson was just a pro player for five years - six years ahead of his move to Chelsea, he was featured on sandy amateur pitches in his Senegalese hometown of Ziguinchor.
All understood Jackson was a unpolished gem, having played just 1,758 minutes of top-flight football, but he soon became as Chelsea's lead attacker.
Expectedly, given the pace of his rise, there were occasions where Jackson found it tough.
Based on Opta data, Jackson fell short of his anticipated returns by a score of -7 over the past two seasons, which is the second-lowest total in the Premier League, trailing just Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Wayward shooting drew disapproval from fans, and he is known to have suffered under that pressure. Jackson would have sequences of successful finishes but then experience prolonged goalless stretches.
When asked about his exit, Maresca said: "He is a Bayern Munich player. I wished him well and hoped for his success. He worked well when he was here. There's nothing more I can say."
But Jackson also surpassed Chelsea legend Didier Drogba in his first season - scoring 14 goals to the Ivory Coast striker's 10. He then notched 21 goals in his first 50 games to equal one of Africa's great strikers at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are likely to make significant gain, whether
