Ahead of the trip to Manchester City, The Athletic's Crystal Palace correspondent Matt Woosnam has offered an update on the Eagles' chances of signing Nabil Bentaleb.
What's the word, then?
Well, the 35-cap Algeria international had been strongly linked with a move to Selhurst Park this month, with the former Tottenham man believed to be for sale.
Schalke are yet to hand him a first-team appearance this season due to disciplinary reasons, as Bentaleb has displayed unprofessional behaviour including a failure to report for German lessons as well as being late.
Le Buteur recently reported that the south Londoners had 'made him a first offer to try and seduce him' while they also revealed that there is a 'very big chance' that the 25-year-old will end up at Selhurst Park.
Now, however, The Athletic's Woosnam has offered a fresh update on the Bentaleb rumours.
Cold water has been poured
Woosnam tweeted the following during Roy Hodgson's pre-match press conference: "Hodgson rules out a move for Nabil Bentaleb. Says his name has never been on the list of players to sign."
If that hasn't poured cold water on the situation, then I don't know what else will.
It very much seems as if the former England manager has no intention of signing the Schalke No.10, and comes just days after another journalist from The Athletic in Dominic Fifield said that the Algerian "sounds happy to make the switch and wants it sorted ASAP" while speaking on the HLTCO podcast.
That in itself was an extremely interesting development in the transfer saga, although when the man himself - Hodgson - quashes the rumours before the watching world, then you do have to appreciate that.
It's the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?
There are still just under two weeks of the window remaining with the possibility of plenty more happening in the market.
For now, however, a move for Bentaleb doesn't look likely given Hodgson's words.
In other news, this 25 y/o's unnecessary statement oozed class...