Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
The football world is watching to see what sanctions Manchester City will receive, after they were found guilty of the majority of charges relating to financial breaches.
The Premier League said earlier this week that City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of its financial regulations between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 campaign.
City maintain their innocence, with Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Ferran Soriano both communicating their defiance in recent days. Pep Guardiola has also shown his support.
City will appeal the ruling. But their situation is certainly serious and there is a very real possibility that a heavy punishment is handed out – relegation, points deduction, title-stripping and transfer bans have all been suggested.
It may well be that City are forced to lose a lot of their players – and here are a few Everton might want to start monitoring in the event of a fire sale.
Copyright 2014 Getty Images
Matheus Nunes
Matheus Nunes went from midfield misfit to one of the best right-backs in the Premier League at City.
The Portugal international’s conversion has been impressive and had it not happened, he may well have been moved on as City had many other midfield options.
But now Nunes, along with many other players, could move on – and Everton should consider a move if he’s one who could go. He does have only two years left on his contract, so this player may not break the bank.
Everton obviously signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles after such a long search for a new right-back. And he has started very well at Everton. But the Toffees need two options for the position, and Nunes would be some addition.
An interesting aspect of this is that Nunes was actually a player on Everton’s radar a few years ago. Before he joined Wolves, it was claimed the Toffees held an interest.
Vitor Reis
Vitor Reis hasn’t been seen too many times in a City shirt since signing for the club in January 2025, but the Brazilian is a very promising central defender who could fulfil an upcoming need for Everton.
Everton are strong defensively right now, but next summer there will need to be a bit of a refresh. James Tarkowski, who has been excellent so far this season, and Michael Keane are both 33 and neither are options for the long term.
Reis spent last season on loan at Girona and despite their relegation, he earned a lot of praise for his performances. While not physically imposing, he is a fantastic passer of the ball, quick with his decision-making, a breaker of lines and has a good turn of pace.
Since he did not come in for massive money at City, there might be potential for Everton to snag a real bargain.
Speaking in April, Guardiola said of the South American (via ESPN): “For Girona he was unbelievable. The reason why he went there, the age he maybe did not have many options to play here and he grew up as a player and did it.
“He faced the best strikers in Spain that are not easy to deal with and he grew up a lot. People in Girona are so pleased and happy. We are going to take a decision at the end of the season.”
Phil Foden
There have been some suggestions that Foden would stick by City in the event of the club being relegated down the divisions. But a move to Everton could genuinely appeal to the player.
Of course, there is a very strong English contingent at Finch Farm, and he would also find one of his very close friends there in Jack Grealish.
The idea of Foden playing for a club that isn’t Manchester City is a little strange, since he has been at the club since the age of eight and come through the ranks to be the biggest academy success story in City’s history.
Phil Foden for Manchester City
Appearances – 375
Goals – 110
Assists – 70
But while he has struggled to show his best form for a while, he is obviously a Premier League-level player. Grealish has found a home at Everton after he was struggling at City, and last season he produced some excellent performances for the Toffees before he got that injury. The same could happen for Foden.
Foden lives with his young family in Cheshire, so a move to Everton wouldn’t mean too much upheaval.
Obviously, he is City through and through and loves his boyhood club. So any move could be very difficult to pull off, even if City found themselves playing in the lower tiers of English football.