The Italian agency which first reported of an agreement between Juventus and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola are standing by the claim.

It was confirmed on Sunday that Maurizio Sarri had left Chelsea to take charge of Juve.

However, the Agi Agency still insists Guardiola had a pre-agreement with Juventus back in May. The stumbling block was that City would not allow him to leave.

Sources close to those involved say a deal worth €24m-a-year for fours years was agreed. And as recently as last Friday, it was thought that the deal to take the 48-year old to Serie A was still firmly in place - with Sarri very much a back up plan.