Phil Foden could quit Man City amid 'huge' relegation threat
Phil Foden is unlikely to stick around at Manchester City if they suffer relegation to League Two as a result of their rule breaches.
Reports have claimed Man City will be found guilty of 114 of their 115 charges for breaching financial rules, and they will be due a major punishment if that is the case.
The Premier League have yet to make an official announcement, but amid the ongoing speculation, some have suggested the Sky Blues should be sent down to the fourth tier.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Man City's situation could be a test Foden's loyalty, but even he could quit if the worst-case scenario plays out.
Concerns are already growing behind the scenes at the Etihad, despite their plans to lodge an appeal against any decision after the formal announcement has been made.
Should they suffer relegation as many have suggested, Man City are prepared for a mass exodus of players seeking to return to the top level, and Foden could be among them.
Could Phil Foden look to leave Man City?
Football Insider reported on 27 September that Foden is likely to play a key role for Man City in the event they are relegated to the Championship or suffer a points deduction.
Similar to the role of Alessandro Del Piero, who stuck by his club when Juventus were relegated from Seire A in 2006, Foden could look to do the same at Man City.
However, should they fall below the Championship into League Two, as has been suggested by some, they will find it difficult to keep any of their current big-name stars.
"I think there's a huge risk that Man City could suffer an immediate relegation," Brown told Football Insider.
"Until we know to what extent that happens, it's all conjecture, but there have been suggestions that they could be pushed all the way down to the bottom of the pyramid in League Two.
"Then you're faced with the problem that these players are not going to want to play in League Two, they're Premier League players, Champions League players.
"The one who will be interesting to watch is Phil Foden, because he's a Man City boy, came through the academy, clearly loves the club.
"The situation is a different one for him, because it'll be a test of his loyalty and commitment to the club, but even then I can't see him sticking around right down in League Two.
"He'll have offers from Champions League clubs, and he will want to be playing at the top level because that's the ambition for any player.
"It won't just be him, though, because the other players don't have that same attachment, there's nothing keeping them at the club, and it won't even be a difficult choice."
What is the likely outcome of Man City's appeal?
If Man City are struck by major punishments after being found guilty of 114 of their 115 alleged financial rule breaches, they are highly likely to appeal against the decision.
It has taken three and a half years for a final verdict to be reached, but the cogs are now in motion, with the rest of the top-flight clubs already informed.
However, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 25 September that Man City's chances of a successful appeal are "tenuous at best" based on the evidence.
The outcome of any appeal will likely be known within the next three months, despite suggestions that the process could drag on further.
That will mean that any punishment the Premier League decide on, whether it is an immediate relegation or a huge points deduction, is believed to be likely to stick.