Well this came out of nowhere:
Owen Hargreaves is on the brink of a sensational move to Manchester City.
After being discarded by arch rivals Manchester United this summer, the injury-ravaged midfielder is set to sign a one-year deal at the Etihad Stadium. He is expected to be unveiled later on Tuesday.
Hargreaves was pictured leaving the Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester at Tuesday lunchtime after three hours of tests.
More to come no doubt as the day progresses.
UPDATE: MEN reporter Stuart Brennan tweeted that the expectation is that a deal gets done in the next forty-eight hours to ensure his participation in the Premier League and Champions League squads that need to be named once the transfer deadline closes.
In many ways the move (which you imagine almost certainly will go through) could be low risk for City. In determining this though, much will depend on the deal City sign Hargeaves to: if it is a one-year deal (perhaps with an option at the end of this), for a 'pay as you play' type salary and minimal (or no) signing on fee then City are not investing much in this.
If Hargreaves comes in and is added to the squad to replace Patrick Vieira's minutes (which Roberto Mancini has spoken of) to play 15-20 games then he will be a useful addition. In terms of style, he could replicate the Nigel de Jong role, although offering less tenacity, in the sense that he can break up play and close down the opposition but equally be capable of being a creator of attacking plays - something the side has yet to really replicate in de Jong's absence.
The big 'if' of course though is exactly what he can contribute given he has played less than a handful of games over the past three years, breaking down on his return for United at home to Wolves last season barely five minutes into his comeback, but if City do sign off on him then they must be confident that Hargeaves is able to come in and make an impact.