Man City ‘to be found guilty of charges – transfer ban imminent’
Man City look set to be found guilty of “quite a lot” of the 115 charges against them and are expecting to hear official confirmation in the coming months.
As a result, they are likely to be struck with a transfer ban across the next one or two transfer windows as a “minimum” in a new blow to Pep Guardiola’s side.
This comes after they completed the signings of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis juring the January window – potentially in preparation for the punishment.
That is according to Football Insider journalist Connor Humm, who explained there is still uncertainty about the exact figures and punishment they will receive.
Any lingering questions will be cleared up with an official announcement in due course.
City have continued to deny all charges against them, while Guardiola has claimed (via Sky Sports) they expect to learn the outcome of their hearing “in one month”.
Man City preparing for transfer ban after January spending spree
City spent £180million on incoming players during the January transfer window, and are thought to be readying more moves come the summer if possible.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 18 February that Guardiola’s side are lining up five more big-name signings ahead of the next window.
However, speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Humm explained that their free-spending January window was in preparation for a potential transfer ban which could be imposed as soon as the summer.
“Man City spent big in January because they had to go big in January,” he told Football Insider.
“They don’t know what’s going to happen with those charges, which are going to come out within the next couple of months or even sooner than that.
“I’m pretty sure they’ve been found guilty on quite a lot of accounts – but not all of them.
“Again, we’ll find out officially soon.
“They’re more than likely looking at a transfer ban for minimum one or two windows.”
Pep Guardiola lines up Kevin de Bruyne replacement
City are continuing with their preparations for the summer transfer window as normal as things stand, and have already begun eyeing potential targets.
The future of Kevin de Bruyne has been a long-term concern given his contract situation, as his current deal is set to expire at the end of the season with no extension on the table.
Football Insider revealed on 14 February that City are monitoring Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz as a possible replacement for the Belgian.
The 21-year-old Germany international has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, and is widely expected to leave Leverkusen this summer.
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