Juventus stalwart defender Leonardo Bonucci called Manchester City in the summer to inquire about joining Pep Guardiola's project, insists the Premier League club's chief executive Ferran Soriano.
The Italy international caught the eye of Guardiola, then at the helm of Bayern Munich, during a Champions League clash in February, who labelled him 'one of my favourite players'.
Guardiola has since taken over at Manchester City and was linked with bringing the 29-year-old to the Etihad Stadium over the closed season.
Soriano indicates that the admiration was mutual and that a host of top players want to work under the Spaniard.