It's little surprise Manchester City are reportedly renewing their interest in Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci, even if the Italian club aren't so keen on a potential move.
The defender was a target for Pep Guardiola's team throughout the summer and has recently spoken about how the chance to work with the Catalan manager was tempting for him.
As Vincent Kompany walked off the pitch in the 2-1 victory at Swansea in the EFL Cup last Wednesday, the supporters feared the worst and it's prompted the club to explore other options. Many were hoping he'd uncharacteristically spoken out of turn and had in fact been sent off in the aftermath of the home side's consolation goal, but the news of another injury was soon confirmed.
By Friday, and Guardiola's prematch news conference ahead of the 3-1 victory at the Liberty Stadium, this time in the league, it was announced Kompany had suffered what was dubbed "fatigue of the groin muscle".
By Monday, he was landing in Barcelona to see a specialist, with his injured compatriot Kevin De Bruyne, as things took a drastic turn.
It's Kompany's 34th injury in his time at City and since the beginning of the 2014-15 campaign, the captain has missed exactly half of his team's matches, stricken in the physio room.
It's left many wondering if he can even have a future with the club. His ability isn't in doubt, but there's mounting evidence that his fitness will remain a problem.
Never mind the effect another muscle problem is having on his body, but just what impact is the latest in a string of injuries having on the Belgian's mental state? Being sidelined can be a very lonely place and even Kompany must feel twangs of doubt in the back of his mind each time he takes to the field these days.
The latest setback comes at the worst possible time for him. Perhaps he's the player more than any that fits the so-called "Mr. Manchester City" role, having overseen pretty much all of the recent success as club captain. He's been a leader on the pitch, while being an ambassador off it.
In building his squad for this season, however, Guardiola hasn't shirked the tough and sometimes unpopular decisions. The biggest case in point is that Joe Hart is currently on loan with Serie A side Torino.
The goalkeeper was moved on for his shortcomings in his style of play. While there are no questions in that regard for Kompany, it remains entirely possible the manager will have no confidence in the captain staying fit for any length of time and it could now be that, unless something changes in this course of rehabilitation, the skipper's days are numbered.
When Roberto Mancini moved the defender into a centre-back position, from the holding midfielder predecessor Mark Hughes had been using him as, Kompany was forced to prove to the fans he was up to the task. Together with Joleon Lescott, he formed part of the best defence in the Premier League in and it's one that City have never truly been able to replace in the years since.
The Belgian is now going through those same motions again. When he's named in the team, supporters wince every time he goes in for a challenge. They know if he plays with his 100 percent blood and thunder attitude, as he has in the past, there's a chance he'll go down for a tackle and stay down, calling for the trainer afterwards.
That trust the fans, his teammates and the manager used to have in him is gone, and it needs to be earned once more -- and it's heartbreaking for supporters to witness.
Yet, given Kompany's style of play and how comfortable he is in possession, he is probably the perfect partner for new signing John Stones. The Englishman is quickly making a name for himself at City as someone who is flourishing under Guardiola's philosophy of keeping the ball at the back, even when under pressure.
Kompany slotted right into the team for the cup win at Swansea, and the opening goal was created by him, Stones and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo confidently passing the ball around the back four and inviting pressure.
Together, the two centre-backs could form the next generation of a formidable City defence. Yet it's an axis that might never properly see the light of day, unless the captain can get himself fit again. How many times can he and the club continue to think they've sorted his problems, only for something else to go wrong?
The City fans must be hoping, for his sake, Kompany can put the last two years behind him and return to what he once was. However, if they're honest, few expect that to happen.