Looks like this deal is going to go through days after that Wolfsburg pledge of allegiance taken by a poker faced Kevin De Bruyne at the Sport Bild annual awards. “I, Kevin De Bruyne will, definitely stay at VfL Wolfsburg this season” is the soccer equivalent of “Read my lips, no new taxes” (George H Bush) and ” I did not have sexual relations with that woman” (Bill Clinton) and probably carrying about as much weight.

Meanwhile, feverishly in a back office, men in suits are unlocking shiny steel suitcases stuffed with wads of cash while others rustle weighty documents with Xs marked where signatures should go.

The Man City sheikhs are apparently sanctioning a princely sum of $80m to pry him from Wolfsburg. Wait, it gets better, De Bruyne could earn up to an eye popping $22.5m a year with bonuses, title winning performances, and goals. Patrick De Koster, De Bruyne’s agent stated, “We’re still trying to find a solution between the clubs. Everything is still possible, even staying in Wolfsburg.” Apparently, the German club want to give De Bruyne a one year extension which will make him the club’s highest paid player.

In the pipeline, Dries Martens from Napoli as replacement for De Bruyne.

Which means De Bruyne’s last game for Wolfsburg could be the one against Cologne this weekend. That sound you heard is Jose Mourinho kicking the tea lady and that giant pfffffftttt, the deflated hopes of every other club which harboured illusions of winning the Premier League.