Man City secret January transfer meeting is awkward but significant

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

One fan managed to get a picture with Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain in town this week. In the corner of the picture, looking like the fella at the darts whose family or work may have only found out he was there when the cameras fell on him, was City's new sporting director Hugo Viana.

Whether Sporting knew or not about the meeting, it goes against the official lines put out by both clubs. When the Blues announced that Viana would be replacing Begiristain, it was made clear that his sole focus would be on Sporting until after the end of the winter transfer window.

After that, he would begin to work with the man he was replacing at City before taking over fully after the Club World Cup. Sporting could really use the help, given that manager Ruben Amorim left for United in November and his replacement was sacked on Boxing Day.

They may indeed be getting it from Viana, but it is a sign of City's intent that the new man has been meeting Begiristain before officially starting even part-time with City.