Man City make telling relegation clause decision ahead of 130 charges verdict
Manchester City have struggled in the Premier League this season but the reigning champions are not about to let go of their title without a fight as they target a lucrative January window
by Simon Mullock · The MirrorManchester City are NOT underpinning their stunning £150million assault on the transfer market by offering relegation escape clauses as an insurance policy during their ongoing legal battle with the Premier League.
The four-in-a-row champions are facing the prospect of being booted out of the top-flight by means of a huge points deduction if they are found guilty of any of the most serious of the 130 charges levelled against them.
An independent tribunal’s judgement on the matter is expected in the spring after a 12-week hearing. City have continued to insist throughout the saga that they are innocent.
And they have also been steadfast in their stance that it’s business as usual at the Etihad - despite suggestions they would have to include guarantees to new signings or current players penning new deals to guard against the worst-case scenario.
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Mirror Sport understands no such provisions have been put in place as the Blues have kick-started a rebuild of Pep Guardiola ’s fading squad by agreeing a £33.6million deal for Lens’ Uzbekistan international defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Khusanov, 20, will be one of five possible arrivals this month. Teenage Argentine playmaker Claudio Echeverri has already arrived in a deal that could eventually net River Plate £21.75million, although he has been given permission by City to play for his country in the forthcoming South American Under-20 Championship.
And City are also looking to bring in Eintracht Frankfurt’s £60million-rated Egyptian striker Omar Marmoush and have been quoted a £42million asking price by Brazilian club Palmeiras for their teenage centre-back Vitor Reiss.
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The Blues also want a midfielder to cover for the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the season with a cruciate injury. Atalanta enforcer Ederson has emerged as a target after doubts that Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi still remains unconvinced about moving to the Premier League after rejecting Liverpool in the summer.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is being spoken about as a possible loan signing, although Juventus would prefer a permanent deal to be struck for the Brazilian.
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