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.

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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.

The Blues have shown an urgency to act in the January transfer market despite Pep Guardiola not liking the window. Talks are ongoing to sign defensive duo Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis as well as Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, and even if not all of those three will be expected to be a regular starter immediately they will still be part of the squad from the moment they sign.

The club could have chosen less public ways of communicating with Viana if they didn't want to risk the awkwardness of him appearing to be playing a part in their transfer plans when he isn't supposed to be, but they are clearly wasting little time in getting to work on the next phase of the City team.