Was this just media-baiting from a mischievous agent? Or does he know something, regarding Manchester City's transfer plans, that has not yet entered the public domain?

Those questions may be answered in time.

For now, one of the most stylish attacking midfielders in Serie A continues to remain at something of a career crossroads. Aleksei Miranchuk, one of the stars of Atalanta's stunning Europa League success under Gian Piero Gasperini last season, is in something of a limbo.

Tuttomercatoweb suggest that La Dea may listen to offers for the Russia international; a PS12 million signing from Lokomotiv Moscow back in 2020.

But could Manchester City be one of the clubs offering Miranchuk a fresh start?

Then again, Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions have a history of pursuing bargain deals for players who would have been considered below City's usual standard upon their arrival, and who then ascended to previously unimaginable heights under the finest coach in the game.

See Manuel Akanji, the great unfulfilled promise at Borussia Dortmund. Stefan Ortega too, a superb addition on a free transfer from Arminia Bielefeld. Mateo Kovacic too, rediscovering the form of his early Chelsea days on Guardiola's watch.

Miranchuk certainly has that City-esque flair and elegance to his game. The 28-year-old string puller may be slight and a little slow but he possesses the vision and guile Guardiola demands from his midfielders.

Miranchuk assisted 12 goals for Atalanta last term. He was excellent, meanwhile, during the second-leg of that stunning victory over Liverpool in the Europa League last-eight. His awareness and creativity between the lines caused no end of headaches for Jurgen Klopp's backline en route to hammering Bayer Leverkuse in that Ademola Lookman-inspired final.

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Miranchuk's agent, Vadim Shipnev, insists that there is a gentleman's agreement to let Miranchuk leave Bergamo this summer.

But only time will tell if his Man City hint is one that should be taken seriously.

Pep Guardiola's side eyeing attacking midfielders "There is an unspoken agreement between the management, the sports director and Miranchuk," Shipnev tells Match TV. "When this agreement is fulfilled, 'Lesha' will leave Atalanta.

"We still have a year of the contract, but we are talking about a direct purchase. All the talk in the foreign press is irrelevant. When the transfer takes place, you will find out everything.

"Maybe (Miranchuk will go) to Manchester City."

HITC understands that City are already looking at another dynamic, line-breaking attacking number eight in the Miranchuk mould. There is interest in Shakhtar Donetsk youngster Georgiy Sudakov.

Interestingly, Sudakov - who featured for Ukraine at Euro 2024 - likens his style of play to that of homegrown City favouruite Phil Foden.

Shakhtar have no intention of letting Sudakov leave on the cheap, however. The Ukrainian giants made up to PS88 million when they sold Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea back in January 2023.

Napoli had a bid in the region of PS35 million rejected not so long ago.

"Shakhtar's president (Sergei Palkin) wants to get big money for Sudakov. If he wanted to get 40 to 45 million (euros), he would have already given him to Napoli," sporting director Darijo Srna explains to Sport24.

"But Sudakov is a unique footballer. He does a crazy amount of work and has a head on his shoulders. There are not many such players in Europe. Sudakov will leave for a very large sum. I'm sure it's more than 60 million euros."