Pep Guardiola set to welcome several new signings to his Man City squad (Image: Getty)
Manchester City's astonishing spending of more than £1 billion is being interpreted as a decisive indicator that the football heavyweights will win their legal battle against the Premier League.
The Etihad Stadium side are embarking on a recruitment drive which could see up to six new faces come through this month, paying a staggering £250m.
Pep Guardiola's side have also agreed a new £240million deal with star Erling Haaland, promising him a weekly salary of £500,000 for the next ten years. Meanwhile, the club's Abu Dhabi and American financiers have already shelled out £300million to build a new stand, luxury hotel and leisure center in the stadium's northern enclosure.
Not to mention they have plowed funds into the colossal £450 million Co-op Live Arena, Britain's largest sports venue for 20,500 fans. Yet this spending comes even as City find themselves locked in the Premier League, having been hit with 130 charges over allegations of financial misconduct – a battle that could see them kicked out of the league if an independent commission declares them guilty.
A three-judge panel completed its deliberations just before the holiday season and is expected to deliver its verdict in the spring. City's lavish spending, in legal circles, is seen as a positive sign for the club.
A legal source told the Mirror: “It would be a huge shock if City's owners decided to fund such a massive investment program if they were on the verge of relegation from the Premier League.
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Erling Haaland recently signed an exceptional nine-and-a-half year contract with City. (Image: Getty)
“Spending heavily in the transfer market and handing Haaland a new contract suggests they feel they have rid themselves of at least the most serious allegations. It is difficult to envisage a different scenario.”
Guardiola revealed he learned of Haaland's contract extension before Christmas, saying: “I knew Erling signed the contract 20 days ago. He signed two or three weeks ago.”
With contracts nearing completion for Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, Lens' Abdukodir Khusanov, Palmeiras' Vitor Reis and Juventus' Andrea Cambiaso at a total cost of almost £190m, City will also be looking to recruit a new midfielder to replace the injured Rodri.
Guardiola expressed his optimism, saying: “It may not be our best season, but I have the same feeling as when we had success. It's a good place to be.”
This article was originally published on Mirror
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2002278/Man-City-transfer-news-Premier-League-charges-relegation