‘Man City have real ammunition against Premier League after £1bn deal agreed’
Manchester City have improved their chances of success in their legal battle against the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still awaiting the outcome of their 115 alleged breaches of financial rules, after they were charged in February 2023.
However, the Manchester club are also fighting against the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which relate to sponsorship revenue.
Last week, it was announced that City have extended their partnership with Puma for another 10 years, with the contract reportedly worth £1billion in total.
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 – believes it gives them “real ammunition” against the Premier League in their APT case.
‘Man City have set the benchmark’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the new agreement with Puma will help City’s Premier League case, as it could prove that other deals weren’t inflated, and that major contracts like this are possible.
The deal will see the Manchester club earning £100m per year, which is a major increase on the £65m per year fee in the previous contract.
Wyness added that City have now set the benchmark in terms of sponsorships, for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “This really was interesting when this came out. It got my interest straight away because it’s not only the scale, obviously getting to £100m a year is a big leap, but it has implications in many ways.
“It sets the bar for other clubs now, in terms of the likes of Liverpool and Man United. Where everybody’s ran at about the £60m mark, getting it up to £100m now shows what is possible.
“Importantly, in this whole Man City Premier League battle right now, and we’re still waiting to hear the outcome, there was the other issue that City are fighting the Premier League on, the Associated Party Transaction Rules (APT).
“Now, this is a big deal, and perhaps shows that their other deals weren’t inflated. This on its own sets the benchmark to say, look, big deals are really possible. And so this gives them real ammunition against the Premier League in terms of some of the other deals that they’ve been criticised for.”
Man City target Ederson replacement
Meanwhile, Man City will formally open talks with Burnley to complete the signing of James Trafford if Ederson completes his move to Galatasaray, sources have told Football Insider.
The City goalkeeper and long-time untouchable has been heavily linked with the Turkish giants, and has reportedly already agreed personal terms ahead of the switch.
If Galatasaray’s pursuit of Ederson is successful, it would see him depart the Etihad after eight years in Manchester.
Trafford has emerged as the favourite to replace the Brazilian between the sticks, and Guardiola’s side have a £40million buy-back clause after selling him to Burnley in 2023.
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