Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Man City still await a verdict on their 114-charge appeal, but that hasn’t stopped Gabby Agbonlahor from tipping one of their full‑backs for a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The reports shared by David Ornstein regarding Manchester City’s 115 charges last week have done Tottenham Hotspur a favour during the international break, as they have shifted attention away from Spurs’ poor, winless start to the Premier League season.
Spurs Web revealed that the case could directly concern Tottenham, with the club potentially able to claim up to £200 million in compensation, although any such decisions remain a long way off.
This is because Tottenham were among four Premier League clubs – alongside Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool – to serve legal notices on Manchester City in 2024 regarding potential compensation if the club were found guilty of the charges.
The notices preserved Spurs’ rights to claim compensation for loss of earnings under Section W of the competition’s rules. In other words, the four clubs effectively protected their right to sue before the statute of limitations expired.
Reports have since claimed that the Premier League found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, three years after the club was first charged.
A variety of punishments could befall City as a result. Sanctions have not yet been decided, but the Premier League rulebook allows for a range of possible penalties, including fines, transfer bans, points deductions, compensation to other clubs or even expulsion from the Premier League in extreme circumstances. A combination of punishments is also possible.
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Tottenham tipped to target Man City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri
Naturally, several Man City players could depart should expulsion from the Premier League be among the punishments.
If that happens, clubs across the globe would look to sign City’s stars. Tottenham are expected to be among them, with Gabby Agbonlahor naming one player he believes could make the switch to Spurs.
According to Agbonlahor, Rayan Ait-Nouri is a player who could fit in at Tottenham.
Ait-Nouri could provide competition at Spurs
Ait-Nouri is a natural left-back but has already been deployed as a winger off the bench this season by Enzo Maresca in City’s Champions League clash with FC Porto, where he assisted Erling Haaland’s second goal.
The full-back is technical and skilful enough to be a strong option for Tottenham, even though the Lilywhites are not short at left-back.
Destiny Udogie and Andy Robertson currently provide cover for Roberto De Zerbi, but Aït-Nouri’s underlying numbers suggest he could push Spurs’ options further.
Udogie is highly rated but has struggled with availability, while Robertson remains a reliable backup but is clearly entering the latter stages of his career.
The former Liverpool man has shown he still has plenty to offer Tottenham, already making five appearances this season and providing an assist.
Appearances 5
Average Rating 6.69
Assists 1
Passes 243
Key Passes 8
Pass Accuracy (%) 83.00
But Ait-Nouri, should he move to Spurs, would provide competition for both Udogie and Robertson and also offer an option as a left winger.