What Happens to Man City's Stars If the Club Is Relegated?

The cost of dropping down

Manchester City face a massive crisis if they fail to overturn the findings of an independent commission. The Premier League accused the club of systematically breaking financial rules for nearly a decade. City lodged an appeal on 2 October. If they lose, the punishments could be severe. They could face expulsion from the league, or a huge points deduction that leads to relegation.

Dropping to the Championship would ruin the club's finances. City's wage bill is estimated to be close to 450 million pounds a year after signing stars like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez. Championship clubs only get 5.7 million pounds a year from TV rights. Last season, City made 248.9 million pounds in prize money. They would instantly face a hole of over 240 million pounds.

A forced fire sale of superstars

Erling Haaland and other superstars will not stay to play in the lower divisions. Even if players wanted to stay, City could not afford their wages. The club would have to sell, but they would not get top value. Their squad is valued at 1.22 billion pounds, but rivals would look for cheap deals.

A former Premier League sporting director explained that other teams would have to sell players first to make room. He added that City would take a hit on market value. If a player earns 200,000 pounds a week and a new club only pays 150,000 pounds, City might have to pay the extra 50,000 pounds. The club also has a net transfer debt of 327.6 million pounds in outstanding payments.

Some players might even leave for free. Barrister Paul Gilroy KC explained that players could argue the club breached the implied term of trust and confidence in their contracts. This could allow them to rip up their contracts and walk out. Rival teams who once lost players to City, like Arsenal and Aston Villa, will have no sympathy.