The last-minute collapse of Marc Guehi's transfer to Liverpool is a story rooted in brinksmanship.
A game of poker - but who won? That is down to opinion.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is arguably the saga's biggest winner. The Austrian got what he wanted all along - to keep his captain despite the financial ramifications on the club who have now lost a £35m cash injection with Guehi set to leave for nothing next summer.
Of course, Glasner, in that respect, has little to lose. He has less than 12 months left on his contract at Selhurst Park and has so far fallen short of signing an extension despite the club's efforts to renew.