Exactly that, I'm sure there is a fine line between old friends just having a catch up and then actively tapping him up, I'm sure the club are just distancing themselves so they can always say "We had no contact, this was an issue between player and club, we wouldn't get involved unless he was a free agent"Would it not be regarded as tapping up?
I know the likes of Bayern etc are allowed to use this tactic,but City?
Monster fine inbound if we even hint at it.