City’s legal battle has again dominated the news on Wednesday, with a fresh report claiming four Premier League rivals were informed of the guilty verdict before the rest of the division.
There has also been an eye-catching claim over a possible 60-point deduction, fresh scrutiny on Ferran Soriano and transfer speculation surrounding Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.
Here’s our 7pm round-up of the main Man City news from 7 October.
Four rivals reportedly learned verdict early
The day’s latest development concerns Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham.
The Telegraph reports that the four clubs were informed of City’s guilty verdict before the rest of the Premier League because they had previously preserved their right to seek potential compensation.
That doesn’t mean compensation is owed or that any eventual claims would succeed. The legal notices preserved the four clubs’ positions rather than establishing a right to damages. However, the reported advance notification provides another indication of their particular legal interest in the eventual outcome of the case.
Soriano future comes under scrutiny
City chief executive Ferran Soriano was also the subject of a significant report from The Athletic.
Daniel Taylor writes that Soriano is fighting for his future and reputation following the guilty verdict, with questions raised about his position if City’s appeal fails.
There is no suggestion City have decided to remove their long-serving chief executive. Soriano has told club employees that he believes City will ultimately be vindicated, while The Athletic’s report examines the contrasting views of a figure who has been central to the club’s modern development.
Alan Brazil makes 60-point deduction claim
The potential punishment facing City remains unknown, but that hasn’t stopped another striking number entering the debate.
talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil claimed he had heard City could face a 60-point deduction, attributing the figure to unnamed sources in Manchester.
There has been no official confirmation that such a penalty has been proposed or decided. With City’s appeal still to be heard and no sanction yet determined, Brazil’s figure should therefore be treated as an unconfirmed claim rather than an indication of the punishment City will receive.
Liverpool and PSG monitor Cherki
There was plenty away from the legal story too.
Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly monitoring Rayan Cherki in case the France international becomes available.
The important point is that he isn’t currently on the market. There has been no reported bid or formal approach, while City have given no indication they intend to sell a player whose contract runs until 2030. The report credits Cherki with six goal contributions from his opening eight appearances of the season.
Haaland tipped for Bayern partnership with Kane
Erling Haaland was also the subject of transfer speculation. talkSPORT’s Andy Brassell believes Haaland could play alongside Harry Kane at Bayern Munich if the Norway striker ever became available.
Brassell also believes Real Madrid would pursue Haaland in those circumstances. It remains firmly hypothetical. Haaland is contracted to City until 2034, and there is no indication the club intend to sell him.
International break finally comes to an end
City’s international players have now completed a busy programme across Europe and beyond.
Haaland scored three goals for Norway, Iliman Ndiaye found the net for Senegal and Cherki registered an assist for France, while several members of Enzo Maresca’s squad accumulated significant minutes.
Our final Man City international break review brings together the major contributions and fitness issues from across the squad.
Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly returned early with fitness concerns, while Haaland’s withdrawal against Portugal was subsequently put down to tiredness rather than injury.
Anderson catches the eye at Wembley
The final night of the international programme also provided another encouraging performance from Elliot Anderson. The midfielder and Marc Guehi both started England’s 3-0 victory over Czechia and played 63 minutes before being replaced.
Anderson played the ball to Morgan Rogers during the move for Harry Kane’s opening goal, with Rogers providing the assist, while Guehi helped England record another clean sheet. Rico Lewis, promoted from the Under-21 squad after O’Reilly’s withdrawal, was an unused substitute.
That brings City’s international break to a close. Maresca can now concentrate on Sunday’s trip to Anfield, where City face Liverpool in the first Premier League meeting between the clubs without either Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp in the dugout since March 2015.
