Hell hath no fury like football fans scorn.
It is very easy to start taking a transfer rumour as fact if you see the same story enough times. A move may seem likely, and the source extremely reliable, but until a player has signed on the dotted line, there are no guarantees that a deal will go through.
For the past few months, Manchester City have been heavily linked with Athletic Bilbao's brilliant young defender Aymeric Laporte. It is in open secret that Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of the 22-year-old and was keen to bring him to the Etihad Stadium.
https://twitter.com/MARCAinENGLISH/status/741535473097711616
Laporte is widely acknowledged as one of the brightest prospects in world football, with his superb reading of the game and excellent use of the ball belying his tender years. Accordingly, City fans were cock-a-hoop about his supposedly imminent arrival.
However, despite many experts assuming his move to Manchester was a mere formality, the youngster surprised everyone on Monday by penning an extension to his current deal at Athletic Club until 2020, bumping up his release clause in the process.
https://twitter.com/MessiMinutes/status/742424802728804352
It is a decision that has been commended by many. This is after all a young player who has refreshingly decided to spurn the opportunity of more money and fame elsewhere to continue his footballing education at the club that gave him his big break.
But such was the hope - and belief - amongst City supporters that he was their player in waiting that some they've reacted with annoyance and even angry resentment. We assume that this lot are from the youngster end of the Blues' spectrum, as they've not taken it well at all...
https://twitter.com/SimplyKun/status/742424539070504960
https://twitter.com/DxBruyne/status/742432452522745857
https://twitter.com/ferryweismann/status/742476474796515328
https://twitter.com/FUTGlVEAWAYZ/status/742425993227423744
https://twitter.com/Jake__Platt/status/742455626844999680
https://twitter.com/PandaGCMC/status/742449325331087360
https://twitter.com/kri5ti4n/status/742443119845605376
https://twitter.com/Kunbelievable/status/742467948691001344
https://twitter.com/buyingtheleague/status/742462908802695168
https://twitter.com/RasmusOLindberg/status/742426835867295744
https://twitter.com/RasmusOLindberg/status/742428984923815936
https://twitter.com/ConjMcfc/status/742425977876324352
https://twitter.com/KunDeBruyne/status/742498738455777280
https://twitter.com/little_aguero16/status/742454061912363008
https://twitter.com/ManLikeLeroyy/status/742640181270847488
https://twitter.com/BillyBlu22/status/742436452097765376
