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Manchester City ‘fear their legal troubles could affect their summer rebuild and search for Jude Bellingham with Pep Guardiola wanting two midfielders, at least one full-back and one winger this summer’ to revamp their struggling side
- Manchester City seeks to continue rebuilding its team this summer
- Jude Bellingham is one of the club’s key targets to strengthen the central midfield
- The club will go ahead with their plans despite the Premier League charges
Manchester City’s search for Jude Bellingham could reportedly be complicated by explosive charges announced by the Premier League over alleged breaches of financial rules.
The Premier League announced on Monday that the reigning champions faced more than 100 charges, with a disciplinary commission now set to determine the fate of the club.
If Man City are found guilty, they face a number of potential penalties, including a points deduction or even a sending off, although it could take years to reach a conclusion.
According the TelegraphThe potential uncertainty and risk of significant punishment could complicate the club’s transfer business in the summer, including the search for Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
The central midfield has been targeted as a key area for City to strengthen in the summer, with the England international seen as one of the club’s main targets.
Manchester City are one of several clubs chasing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
Pep Guardiola seeks to introduce new faces to his side in a summer reconstruction
Bellingham has been coveted by the best clubs in Europe, with Real Madrid and Liverpool looking to emerge as the winners of a fierce competition for their signature.
City are reportedly eyeing Bellingham as one of two potential midfield arrivals to refresh the team’s heart, with star Kevin De Bruyne turning 32 this summer.
Ilkay Gundogan, the club captain whose contract expires in June, has strong interest from Barcelona in a free transfer and is now free to discuss moves with foreign clubs. The German will turn 33 next season.
Bernardo Silva, for his part, has not hidden his desire to go to Spain after six years in England.
City are also reportedly interested in securing a full-back in the summer, as Kyle Walker turns 33 in March, while Joao Cancelo’s long-term future appears to be in doubt after he was allowed to join Bayern. from Munich in January.
AC Milan’s Rafael Leao has been closely watched by City as a possible addition to the winger, while Napoli’s Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also has suitors.
The city reportedly plans to go ahead with its summer plans despite the threat of disciplinary action.
City are looking for long-term replacements for stalwarts Bernando Silva and Kyle Walker.
The officials are expected to stress to the targets their belief that the club will be cleared of any breaches of Premier League rules.
The Premier League charges against City include more than a hundred alleged breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
The city has also been accused of failing to cooperate with the investigation since it began in December 2018.
The Premier League champions said they were surprised by the alleged offences.
“Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuance of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive compromise and wealth of detailed materials that have been provided to the EPL,” a statement read.
‘The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the full body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
“As such, we hope this matter is put to rest once and for all.”