Manchester City’s three-year spending spree of over £1billion has been deliberately structured to protect the club should the worst-case scenario—relegation—result from the Premier League’s guilty verdict in the 115 charges case.
The Blues have prioritised young players and those in their prime, avoiding expensive signings of players over 26 in recent years. That means their squad retains significant resale value even if a fire sale becomes necessary. Only Kovacic and Bettinelli are out of contract next summer, giving City control over departures.
City have also locked down key players to new deals in recent months, including Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku and Abdukodir Khusanov. Combined with a pipeline of academy talent and young signings like Vitor Reis and Sverre Nypan, the club has built what the Manchester Evening News describes as a platform that could sustain them even in the Championship if appeals ultimately fail.
City maintain they are innocent and will continue their appeal, which is expected to extend well into next year or beyond. The verdict also leaves them exposed to sanctions including possible relegation, though the Premier League’s core decision itself is not yet final.
Sources
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