Manchester City fans are used to protracted transfer sagas - and they know what it's like to have their hearts broken.
Graphics, tattoos, and even whimsical jingles were prepared for the arrival of Isco from Malaga last season, but the 22-year-old's last minute decision to join Real Madrid left Manchester City's party without a disco ball; they had been betrayed.
(The image Manchester City fans were dreaming about last summer)
Perhaps one weakness of the Etihad faithful is their infrangible loyalty. They fall in love with their club's transfer targets, they establish fruitful relationships with the players' Twitter account, and they do everything they can to make that player feel welcome in Manchester. It happened with Isco, it happened with Fernandinho, and it's happening with Eliaquim Mangala.
The Frenchman was reported to have agreed a £31.8m move to the Premier League champions on 11th July, but an official announcement is still yet to be made. On Thursday night, Manchester City released a video that appeared to show the FC Porto defender completing his switch to Etihad Stadium, but a City spokesman was quick to reveal that their website had been hacked and that the deal was still not done.
It's a 'will he or won't he?' situation. Will Manchester City fans be welcoming one of Europe's most promising young defenders this summer, or will the Frenchman follow Isco's lead and snub Manuel Pellegrini's interest?
Only he knows, but here's a look at the significant developments in the Mangala saga so far.
January 31st 2014
Manchester City register their interest in the FC Porto defender on the final day of the January transfer window.
Private jets were arranged for arrival of both Fernando and Mangala, but Manchester City were priced out of moves for the pair by Porto.
May 19th 2014
Portuguese journalist Gonçalo Lopes suggests Eliaquim Mangala's move to Manchester City was agreed in January.
July 3rd 2014
French newspaper L'Equipe report that FC Porto have agreed to sell Mangala for £31.8m, but the Frenchman's preference to move to London may scupper the deal.
July 4th 2014
Questions over Mangala's dedication to the move continue to arise as City reportedly agree a deal in principle with Roma's Mehdi Benatia.
July 9th 2014
The Mirror report that Roma have given Manchester City a deadline to sign Benatia. City still prefer Mangala.
July 11th 2014
Duncan Castles of the Sunday Times and Goal.com reveals that Eliaquim Mangala has agreed to join City in a £31.8m deal.
Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio also reports that the deal is 'done'.
July 12th 2014
Mangala arrives for his medical in Manchester.
The Frenchman is spotted at Manchester airport.
July 13th 2014
Mike Keegan of BBC Sport says that the deal is still incomplete despite Mangala's trip to Manchester.
July 14th 2014
French website RMC Sport report that Mangala's girlfriend is not keen on Manchester and that the deal may now be in danger.
July 15th 2014
RMC Sport say that Mangala has agreed to join Manchester City and that he is expected to report for training on August 4th.
July 17th 2014
Mike Keegan reports that the 23-year-old is not exactly 'mad keen' on a move to City and that the deal could be one to look.
July 24th 2014
A video from Manchester City's website showing Mangala speaking to City TV is leaked. The video was quickly removed by the club.
A Manchester City spokesman confirms the website was hacked and that the deal is not yet done.
What next...?