The Manchester City manager had lied equally absurdly a month or so before, stating that “because of the economic situation in the world right now, we are not going to sign a striker next season”.

OUT: Bashir Humphreys (£10m, Burnley), Marcus Bettinelli (£2m, Manchester City), Lucas Bergstrom (released). BACK FROM LOAN: Axel Disasi (Aston Villa), Joao Felix (AC Milan), Andrey Santos ...