In the early hours of September 30 (CEST), the Premier League officially announced that Manchester City had been charged with over a hundred breaches of financial rules. British newspaper The Mirror has published an extensive editorial analysing why Manchester City, despite knowing it could face rule violations, felt sufficiently confident not to include relegation clauses in player contracts.

The article argues that despite the threat of a "seismic Premier League affair", Manchester City has spent lavishly in recent transfer windows to rebuild its squad. However, Manchester City's biggest stars have no relegation clauses in their contracts.

In January 2025, Erling Haaland signed a record nine-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City, tying him to the club until his 34th birthday, and the main question at the time clearly centred on the 115 charges. When asked whether there was an exit clause in his new contract should Manchester City be found guilty, the Norwegian striker replied: "No."

Manchester City has secured its most valuable asset – arguably the world's most lethal striker – for nearly a decade, covering the best years of his career, and he is currently only 26 years old.

Now, top clubs worldwide are watching Haaland's next move, ready to pounce should he suddenly become available for transfer. The same applies to many other superstars in Manchester City's squad, who have helped the team achieve such brilliant success in recent years.

However, if the worst-case scenario occurs and Manchester City is found guilty and relegated from the Premier League as punishment, Haaland is not alone in having no exit clause in his contract.

Other big names who joined the club in the last three transfer windows also have no exit clauses in their contracts – between July 2023 and summer 2024, Manchester City's net spending exceeded £300 million.

But this raises the question: how did Manchester City manage to negotiate these player contracts when everyone knew judgment day was approaching?

The charges for breaching Premier League financial rules were officially laid in February 2023, but this did not prevent the team from continuing its success or deter top players from joining during this period.

Cherki, Donnarumma, Semenyo and Guehi all joined the club between 2023 and 2024, and this summer, the team spent the considerable sum of £450 million to completely rebuild its midfield, recruiting Enzo, Anderson, Buadi and Ndiaye.

Among them, Argentine midfielder Enzo was determined to join Manchester City. He not only informed Chelsea of his desire to leave, but also made clear that Manchester City had to be his next destination.

Anderson, meanwhile, faced a direct choice between Manchester City and Manchester United, and ultimately chose Manchester City. The situations of the other players were largely similar. Guehi could have chosen any club had he waited until summer to become a free agent, but he chose Manchester City in January. Semenyo likely knew that if he waited patiently, Arsenal would probably contact him again.

Looking at this squad overhaul, Manchester City has completely transformed the team. The goalkeeper position (Ederson replaced by Donnarumma), defence and midfield have all been restructured, with veterans like De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva departing, and new recruits like Anderson and Enzo arriving.

This clearly goes beyond a normal squad rebuild. It must involve contingency plans in case the team is ultimately found guilty, risking not only relegation but also a transfer ban. Yet Manchester City does not see it this way; in any case, the current depth of the team's squad is extremely solid.

However, the key factor in convincing these players to sign was not relegation clauses, but the club's promise to honour all bonuses, supplements and performance-related payments. These bonuses are typically easy to earn. They will honour these contracts. The contracts will be legally watertight, and it is up to excellent agents to ensure their clients are protected.

Another overlooked factor is the strength of Manchester City's conviction: they firmly believe the club can ultimately prove its innocence. Within the club, there has always been a genuine belief that they possess sufficient evidence to answer and refute the allegations. Regardless of external perceptions, this conviction remains unshaken. In communications with players, agents and family members, there has never been the slightest hint of doubt in the words, hearts and minds of Manchester City's hierarchy. This is extremely persuasive.

Ultimately, players may not need exit clauses for relegation at all. Should the ultimate punishment really occur, regardless of who owns the club, the team cannot afford the enormous wage bill at Championship level, let alone League One.

The genuine affection that stars like Haaland hold for this club should not be underestimated, and the same applies to other players. But it would be naive to think players would not seek to leave to play in the Champions League and compete for the most prestigious trophies. Manchester City would likely be forced to let them go; that is how football works.

But this storm, which has been brewing for years, has never truly deterred Manchester City's boldness in attracting and signing the best players, nor their unwavering determination to stay at the top, whatever happens.

Traduit par IA.

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