Aston Villa have enjoyed the sort of summer that many can only dream of.
After avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth last season it seemed that the midlands side could be gearing up for an incredibly difficult campaign this time around.
It took a last-gasp Jack Grealish goal to secure their survival on the final weekend of the season last term, but the hope is that this year will be a marked improvement.
Focusing on quality over quantity, Villa have taken huge strides in the transfer market.
Big-money deals for Matty Cash, Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez from Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Arsenal were followed up by another significant deal for Bertrand Traore.
That has taken Aston Villa's spending to more than £80million this summer, and it seems that there could be more to come.
Dean Smith is determined to move his side up the table in order to avoid a relegation battle.
But to do that he's going to needed even more quality in his first team squad.
Scoring goals was a real weakness last term and it seems that this is an area that the club are striving to improve.
While a goal scorer is also on the shopping list, adding pace and creativity to the side is paramount, and that has led them to the door of Ismaila Sarr.
France Football have claimed that Aston Villa are in the race to sign the Watford man this summer.
Valued at £22.05m by Transfermarkt, 22-year-old scored six and created six more for the Hornets as they suffered relegation from the Premier League, however he his record certainly made an impression on those in the top flight.
Villa would love to get a deal done and would offer him regular first team football, however it's claimed that Liverpool are leading the charge.
Reports have claimed that Jurgen Klopp's side have agreed a £36million fee with Watford for the winger, who looks set to move on just one year after arriving at Vicarage Road.
GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...
Ismaila Sarr is an outstanding talent who looks destined to play for a top club.
Described by Nigel Pearson as having 'lots of potential', the Watford star appears unlikely to be playing in the Championship this term.
Aston Villa would love to get such a deal wrapped up, but given the level of the competition that they face it could be tricky.
Jurgen Klopp has really kicked up Liverpool's transfer efforts in the last week or so, and so a move for Sarr could be completed quickly.
Where he will fit in at Anfield is up for debate, and the Reds certainly have no shortage of quality in attacking areas.
But if he fulfils his potential then there's no doubt that Sarr will be a big asset wherever he goes.