REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Manchester City’s world has been turned upside down since it was announced they’d been found guilty of all 115 charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
City have officially launched an appeal “against the opinion of the Premier League Commission”, in a last-ditch attempt to clear their name, but the club’s reputation may have been irreversibly tarnished regardless of the final outcome.
Man City, winners of eight Premier League titles since 2012, risk a series of unprecedented and historic punishments if the club’s owners continue their conflict with the Premier League.
It’s understood expulsion from the Premier League, the removal of City owners, directors and executives, plus a block to join the EFL is now the most likely outcome if the club’s appeal fails.
City are currently top of the Premier League table, having won all five of their opening fixtures, but it will be fascinating to see if - and how - things change after the international break amid the news that’s rocked English football to its core.
The Citizens’ next Premier League fixture is a daunting trip to Liverpool’s Anfield on October 11.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola
Erling Haaland 'Eyeing 2027 Transfer'
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
The club’s current star player, Erling Haaland, hasn’t appeared fazed by the guilty verdict while on international duty with Norway, according to his teammate Kristoffer Ajer.
Is that because Haaland plans on leaving the Etihad Stadium in the not-too-distant future?
The world-class striker put pen to paper on a nine-and-a-half-year contract with City in January, keeping him tied to the club until the summer of 2034.
But journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed on The TEAMtalk podcast that Haaland and his camp are eyeing 2027 as the summer to leave Man City, regardless of whether the club are relegated from the Premier League. Bailey said:
Haaland's Preferred Destination Revealed
REUTERS/Molly Darlington
The journalist revealed that Arsenal are likely to be among the clubs interested in securing Haaland’s signature, but a move to one of Spain’s big two is far more likely.
Bailey added: “I was told by an Arsenal source [that] clearly if a player like Haaland comes on the market - as they are one of the biggest clubs in Europe - they’re going to be interested.
“And obviously, as we know, they’re looking for a striker. They spent all summer trying to sign Julian Alvarez, so arguably, they’ve got the money as well, if they’re going to do it.
“But my understanding is that Erling Haaland wants to go to Spain. Primarily, we’re talking Real Madrid and Barcelona.”
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Stylish
Asked if there’s room for Haaland at Real Madrid, Bailey responded: “I think they probably could fit him in, but I think Barcelona is ready-made for him.”
Even if City’s appeal proves successful, it seems the Manchester-based outfit may have a job on their hands to keep Haaland at the Etihad.