"Espanyol are still waiting to receive a satisfactory offer from Manchester City for the transfer of Joan Angel Roman," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The English team have shown themselves to be interested in the midfielder, but must follow the Fifa regulations, which stipulate that the clubs must have an agreement between them for the move to take place.

This is something the big boys have been doing for years - and if Fàbregas and Macheda are anything to go by, it seems to work quite well. Platini's trying to cut it out - with good reason - but while it's still legal we might as well try to play the game. I know nothing about Roman as a player - if you do please let us all know.