Even the prospect of Lionel Messi joining Manchester City didn't elicit the same response from the wider football world as Cristiano Ronaldo's potential signing.
City are looking into the signing of Ronaldo in what would be a sensational deal for a five-time Ballon d'Or and (former?) Manchester United hero, with reports in Italy suggesting the Blues are ready to do a deal for the 36-year-old.
For all the excitement, there are a number of obvious questions that will be levelled at City for signing a player of Ronaldo's stature.
At 36, he's a short-term signing — unlike their pursuit of Harry Kane or potential chase of Erling Haaland. Lionel Messi, two years younger, would have at least offered a season or two more.
Then there's his position; a winger for most of his career, Ronaldo could now be the No.9 City crave, but he might prefer to join Guardiola's six other wingers out wide. If his history at Real Madrid, Juventus and for Portugal is anything to go by, Ronaldo isn't a character who would react too positively to Guardiola's extensive rotation.
In short, he is exactly the opposite profile of player that Guardiola has carefully worked to bring in during his five years at City.
This is an individual player who has spent his career being the focus of his team, rather than someone putting the group ahead of himself. It's an approach that has returned a ridiculous amount of trophies and success, but it would be a culture shock to the City dressing room.
Then there's Guardiola's record with superstar individuals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic left Barcelona after a year of working with Guardiola, with the pair at odds over the manager's approach. Guardiola favours a collective effort, while players like Ibrahimovic prefer to be the key man in the side.
At City, Guardiola has experienced similar with players like Leroy Sane and, to an extent, Sergio Aguero. Keeping Ronaldo happy will likely mean either he or the Portuguese will have to compromise.
But if City could get the best out of Ronaldo for two years, they could silence a lot of critics.
The critics who say Guardiola can only be successful in Europe with Messi. The critics who say Guardiola can't manage superstar individuals. The critics who say City can't attract truly world class players.
City have been criticised for their Champions League record, even when reaching the final last year. Guardiola overthinks things in the big games and has failed to deliver a Champions League trophy as a result.
Ronaldo has won the competition five times and would be able to use that experience to help City over the line they are desperate to cross.
Even if he is second or third choice forward in this transfer window, his signing wouldn't represent any climb-down or u-turn from City.
Signing Ronaldo wouldn't be the statement it was a few years ago, but it would still unlock a new calibre of signing that has never signed for the club. World-class players now actively want to sign for City, and see the Blues as a genuine prospect of winning titles domestically and in Europe.
All things considered, there are more positives to Ronaldo's signing than concerns. And if City were to prove those doubters wrong, they can take even more pleasure from taking the risk of making a signing that will shake the world of football just as much as Robinho did in 2008.
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