Man City exodus: ‘Fire sale could be ordered to cover big-cash shortfall’
Man City will not win their fourth consecutive Premier League title this term and the drop-off at the Etihad Stadium will have financial ramifications.
The English champions are fourth in the top flight and were knocked out of the Champions League at the knockout playoff stage by Real Madrid after a dismal league phase.
As per The Athletic (19 February), the elimination means City will recieve £36million less in European prize money compared to last season.
Meanwhile, each place in the Premier League is worth £2.8million – as well as the future riches from qualifying for European football.
Man City are fourth as things stand but Chelsea, Newcastle, Bournemouth and more are all in touching distance.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has suggested fourth would have been the “worst-case scenario” for City chiefs at the start of the season.
Man City ‘will have to rethink’ summer plans, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted City have enough assets to sell if they need to make up a shortfall in revenue.
| Player | Value (€m) |
| Erling Haaland | 200 |
| Phil Foden | 140 |
| Rodri | 130 |
| Ruben Dias | 75 |
| Josko Gvardiol | 75 |
The Citizens last finished outside the Premier League’s top four in the 2009-10 season and have played Champions League football in every season since the 2011-12 campaign.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s not helpful to miss out on that prize money, but I don’t think it’s going to make much change to the positive picture in Man City’s finances.
“It’s serious money, but it won’t be as crucial as it would be for the other clubs.
“Missing out on European football would make a difference. But they’ve got enough credit in the bank to manage a blip for one season.
“There are still a lot of games left, they can still finish fourth.
“I’m pretty sure fourth would have been the worst-case scenario, so there’s no doubt they’ll have to do some rethinking.
“But they’ve got enough assets to sell and make up any shortfall, if they need to.
“It’s certainly not what they would’ve expected, but there’s a lot of games to go.”
Man City eye more rebuilding with ‘five summer deals’
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Man City are planning to add at least five top-class signings to their squad this summer.
City could continue their rebuilding process in the off-season after spending big in the January window.
As part of the revamp, Football Insider revealed on 17 February that Bernardo Silva is wanted by clubs in Spain, Portugal and Saudi Arabia amid speculation over his future at the Etihad.
Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne is out of contract in June while James McAtee could become the latest academy product to leave the English champions.
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