After the long pursuit of Harry Kane ended, Manchester City turned their focus to five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
A truly dramatic few hours saw Ronaldo make a fairytale return to Manchester United on Friday, City having been favourites for his signature earlier in the day after being offered the 36-year-old's serviced by agent Jorge Mendes last week.
Whether we like it or not, agents are an integral part of football. Despite the endless examples of clubs and high-profile intermediaries having a tainted relationship after a deal falls through, City must maintain a healthy working relationship with Mendes.
The Portuguese super-agent does not only represent former City target Ronaldo, but some of his other high-profile clients are key members of Pep Guradiola's squad.
According to Transfermarkt, four of the top five most valuable clients on Mendes' roster play at the Etihad Stadium.
Ruben Dias (market value - £67.5million), Bernardo Silva (£63m), Ederson (£45m) and Joao Cancelo (£49.5m) are all represented by his Gestifute agency.
This begins to explain the necessity of City upholding a strong and positive relationship with Mendes because, as we all know, agents hold a strong hand when it comes to players' futures.
Bernardo Silva has been linked with a move away from City this summer, a matter that will have been an obvious priority item in Mendes' in-tray. Then there are the other Gestifute players who could conceivably be transfer targets in the months and years ahead.
As Guardiola has said, it is increasingly unlikely City will manage to sign a striker before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
If the vacancy remains this time next year, Andre Silva could be a candidate. The Portugal centre-forward's haul of 29 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt last season paved the way for a switch to RB Leipzig.
Who is Silva's agent? Yes, you guessed it- Jorge Mendes.
With Fernandinho potentially entering his final season at City and the influential Ilkay Gundogan turning 31 in October, Guardiola could be in the market for midfield reinforcements in 2022. Let's face it, he usually is.
Players such Ruben Neves, the highly-rated Wolves anchor man, and Renato Sanches, who has got his career back on track with Ligue 1 champions Lille after a wretched stint at Bayern Munich, could be of interest to City. Their pedigree is beyond question. Both players are also represented by Mendes.
City might emerge from this transfer window without a recognised striker, failing to address their priority position. Recognising the importance of their Mendes relationship and banishing any potential ill-feeling from the Ronaldo saga must be an off-field priority.
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