Attacker Nicolas Jackson played a key role in one among the summer window's most dramatic saga stories, but ultimately achieved his goal by signing for Bayern Munich for a season from Chelsea.
It was clear to all parties in the deal that the young forward would shortly encounter his parent club when Bayern welcome Chelsea in their opening Champions League match on Wednesday.
Individuals assisting finalize the turbulent transfer had sufficient moments around a chaotic deadline day to consider his debut for the German super club in the elite Champions League.
Jackson was present in Germany all along as a deal was settled on Saturday morning, until the green light to have a medical was cancelled because of a severe hamstring injury to Chelsea forward Liam Delap.
However, the transfer was reinstated by Monday's deadline.
In those moments, Jackson told his representatives he was excited about facing, and potentially scoring against, Chelsea.
This sentiment captures some of the sentiments as Jackson departed Stamford Bridge.
He probably to believe he has a score to settle to some of the Chelsea fans that were not entirely supportive of him, particularly jeering him during former manager Mauricio Pochettino's tenure.
Certain decision-makers, including head coach Enzo Maresca, also started doubting in him after a pair of dismissals against Newcastle United in the Premier League and Flamengo in the Club World Cup in the final stages of last season.
That fracturing of the connection between Jackson and Chelsea, coupled with the addition of strikers Joao Pedro and Delap, pushed him out of west London.
At his unveiling at Bayern, Jackson said: "It was challenging - a hard spell. Challenging instances in those last days. But I was highly optimistic I will stay here because this is my desired destination and want to be.
"Bayern's chief, and the coach really wanted me. It was very tough but in the end we got it, so I'm quite pleased.
"I have followed Bayern since childhood. It was a dream to join this giant institution. When they called me I was overjoyed and prepared to come and play for them."
However, this on-off-on transfer saga is just concluded for now, because the deal - a season-long arrangement with a clause to buy - may not be fully secure.
Is Jackson Set to Join Bayern Permanently?
Jackson moved to Bayern Munich on deadline day for a sizable loan fee - nearly a global benchmark amount for a temporary deal - with a stipulated requirement to buy for £56.2m.
Exclusively the borrowed deals that took Alvaro Morata from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid and then from the Spanish club to Juventus commanded bigger fees.
However, according to numerous German media reports, the terms to make the loan deal full are hard to fulfill.
Uli Hoeness, the ex-forward who is an influential figure on Bayern's board, told Sky Germany during the international break: "It's improbable he'll start 40 games from the start.
"We still have 32 Bundesliga games. If we advance to the Champions League final, which we aim for, that brings 13 games. The combined is 45 games.
"The DFB Pokal games do not count. So he would have to start each match. He will go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, so he can't start 40 games."
Additional details has been given that every game of 45 minutes or more would count as a "start" for Jackson.
Hoeness further stated that Jackson's Epic Sport agency, headed by Ali Barat, paid the extra £1.3m included in the loan fee by Chelsea in the 48 hours before deadline, while suggesting the possibility that the Senegal striker could return to west London next summer.
Upon questioning about the arrangement at his unveiling press conference, Jackson said: "It's not my decision, my job is just to perform, make my team win and be prolific. My focus is only on pursuing big things."
In any case, Chelsea are pleased with the financial terms and such a substantial temporary fee could incentivise Bayern to buy Jackson next summer.
Representatives from Bavaria have also stated that, if Jackson performs well and exhibits a positive attitude over the temporary spell, he will secure a long-term future in Bavaria.
Their plan is for him to both rival and support star striker Harry Kane.
Jackson completed his debut as a half-time substitute for the Bundesliga titleholders during their 5-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, coming on for Serge Gnabry and playing alongside the England captain.
"I felt he looked sharp," said Kane. "In training, he's looked quite promising. It's difficult coming into a team like us when we're so well-drilled.
"He physically is very strong and fast. And if he plays, he'll be eager to impress. But I don't want to put too much pressure on him too soon.
"He understands he's integrating into the team. So far he's had a great attitude and the desire to improve is the most important thing."
Jackson can play as a central striker or on the left wing, so has options in terms of position. And at Bayern, he avoids the pressure of needing to be the top finisher, while his proximity to the England captain can only help his development in the future.
"What I hope is that he scores a lot of goals for us. I think he'll succeed," said Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.
It's up to him in Jackson's court. He can either impress and stay at one of the world's biggest clubs or emulate the experience to Jadon Sancho, who went back to Manchester United for a £5m penalty fee as Chelsea got out of their previous £20m purchase requirement agreement.
Why Didn't It Work Out at Chelsea?
The club from London and Jackson's team contend the forward's time at Chelsea was a positive.
The club invested in three months of exceptional form at Villarreal and decided to activate his £32m release clause in 2023. He had significantly increased in value over a two-year period.
Jackson was just a elite athlete for five years - six years ahead of his move to Chelsea, he was featured on sandy non-professional grounds in his Senegalese city of Ziguinchor.
All understood Jackson was a rough diamond, having played just 1,758 minutes of first-division soccer, but he rapidly cemented his place as Chelsea's first-choice forward.
Understandably, given the rapidity of his rise, there were occasions where Jackson had difficulties.
According to Opta data, Jackson did not meet his projected tally by a score of -7 over the past two seasons, which is the second-worst total in the Premier League, trailing just Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Ineffective scoring drew negative feedback from fans, and he is known to have been affected by that pressure. Jackson would have periods of finding the net but then experience prolonged goalless stretches.
Upon being questioned about his exit, Maresca said: "He is a Bayern Munich player. I wished him well and expressed my support. He trained hard when he was here. There's nothing more I can say."
But Jackson also surpassed Chelsea legend Didier Drogba in his first season - netting 14 goals to the Ivory Coast striker's 10. He then bagged 21 goals in his first 50 games to tie one of Africa's great strikers at Stamford Bridge.
The London club are likely to make substantial profit, whether
