Barcelona have beaten both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City to the signing of coveted Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutchman was the most sought-after young player in world football, with Barca splashing a cool €75m plus €11m in variables on the 21-year-old.
De Jong will arrive at the club next summer, signing a five-year deal reportedly worth around €200,000-a-week.
But just what will he bring to the Blaugrana? Well, reports and analysis will tell you he is mature beyond his years.
Passing is his main forte and he is also able to glide past opponents at will in the middle of the park.
He’s also not bad defensively, regularly maintaining his discipline and breaking up attacks.
But with Barca’s embarrassment of riches in midfield, just how could they line up with De Jong?
Here are three potential formations Barca and Ernesto Valverde may utilise in 2019/20.
It’s hard to see new signing Kevin-Price Boateng and summer arrival Arturo Vidal getting much game time…
1. TOTAL CONTROL (4-3-3)
Barca’s football in the middle of the park during their recent history has been dominated by controllers.
The Blaugrana love players who can dictate the tempo and this midfield trio would be unstoppable in that respect.
Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo and De Jong all excel as midfield metronomes and most teams would be passed off the pitch.
The only downside would be the lack of goals from midfield, but Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi could cover for the trio once they receive the ball.
2. BYE BYE BUSQUETS (4-2-3-1)
As many Barca fans will have noticed, Busquets is certainly not at the peak of his powers right now.
For the first time in his Barca career, his passing seems wayward and he looks prone to errors on the ball.
With that in mind, Valverde may opt to rotate the Spaniard with De Jong - the ideal replacement - there to fill in.
Alongside either Arthur or Ivan Rakitic, the Dutchman can certainly deputise in the ‘Busquets role’, with Philippe Coutinho further forward in a central role behind Suarez.
3. VALVERDE’S FAVOURITE (4-4-2)
The Barca boss loved the idea of this formation in his first season, with Messi and Suarez excelling as the strikers.
However, to play such a system, the midfield requires two players with a knack for defending.
Vidal is certainly an option next to Busquets in this formation as well, but De Jong combines his defensive nous with a slick array of passing as well.
On paper, Busquets and De Jong look capable of making a midfield two look like a trio to the naked eye, allowing Valverde to start all his major attacking weapons and hand them freedom.
Do you have any thoughts on the three formations given, or think Barca will try something different with De Jong? Have your say in the comment box below.