At around 5pm yesterday, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's move to Barcelona was dead.
But a few hours later it had been revived again and as the 11pm deadline drew nearer the eventual outcome began to become clearer - Aubameyang was getting his dream transfer to one of Europe's biggest clubs having had no interest in the previously-floated alternative, a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
He is due to get the marquee signing treatment when he is unveiled by Barcelona after joining permanently too, rather than on an initially-expected loan.
Key to the deal going from off to on was a bold move by Aubameyang - his decision to fly to the city, off his own back and without the knowledge of either club, to be in position just in case everything fell into place.