If you follow the line pushed by Aston Villa’s recruitment team, the club’s transfer policy is a thorough process that leaves little to chance.
An evolving list of about 500 players, which is reduced carefully to shortlists of eight or 10 for every position. That narrative bears little relation to Villa’s activity in January.
As Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio prepare to join on loan on Sunday for combined salaries at the thick end of £500,000 a week, it feels a little like Villa are making it up as they go along.
Transfer chief Monchi has a grand reputation and a title – president of football operations – to match.