Manchester City "worry" about direct punishment could "destroy" the deal to sign Liverpool s target

Pep Guardiola watches the game in the Premier League.

Manchester City reportedly "concerned" that their ongoing fiscal fair game case could "break the deal" during the transfer window this summer.

Manchester City's FFP case began as early as February 2023 and is still in progress, and it is not clear when the verdict will be made.

The Premier League conducted a four-year investigation into Guardiola's side's alleged misconduct between 2009 and 2018 and submitted it to an independent committee.

After being accused of 130 alleged violations of FFP rules, City has insisted throughout the process that they are innocent and are operating as usual, offering Ellin Haaland and Pep Guardiola generous new contracts while they became the most expensive team in the European transfer market in January. The hearing in the

FFP case ended in late 2024 with a final statement heard, and the verdict reportedly will be released in March.

However, it's May and we haven't heard anything yet, so God knows what's going on...

If Manchester City are eventually found guilty, they could be subject to a huge fine, transfer ban, points deduction or expelled from the Premier League.

An expert recently claimed that "split" is most likely, with a lighter punishment greater than a deduction or expulsion. The

transfer ban will not be the end of the world, but it will put Manchester City in a strait, and they will need massive roster adjustments to recover from the disappointing 2024/25 season.

One of their first summer tasks is signing Kevin De Bruyne's long-term replacement, and Florian Werz is reportedly one of their prominent goals.

Liverpool and Bayern Munich are also linked to the attacking midfielder, who have set deadlines to make the final decision.

Football Insider reported that City were "concerned" about their FFP case "possibly undermining" the deal signed with Wilz, and journalist Pete O'Rourke revealed information about the case his "source" revealed to him.

The report claims: The

hearing began in September 2024 and ended in December, and the final ruling is expected to not be made until the end of the season.

"So, if they are subject to any direct punishment, including the transfer ban, their ambitious transfer plan may face obstacles."

Oroque added: "If we make a judgment on these 115 charges, there may be some impact."