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New reports detail Manchester City transfer plans, player reaction, EFL stance and rival club demands following Premier League charges for alleged financial breaches

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Manchester City players and staff were addressed by senior club figures on Monday afternoon following the Premier League’s decision to charge the Blues for over 100 alleged breaches of financial rules.

Alleged breaches took place over an extended nine-year period and if found guilty, Manchester City risk expulsion from the Premier League.

The Blues were hit with over 100 charges on Monday morning relating to financial information, profitability and sustainability, player and manager remuneration, failure to cooperate and UEFA regulations.

Manchester City responded to the alleged breaches by stating that they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” and that they “look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”

The six-time league winners have been under investigation by the Premier League for four years and an independent commission will now be appointed.

Following Monday’s bombshell announcement, with the timing of the charges having been questioned due to the imminent release of a white paper by UK Government on an independent football regulator, new details have come to light.

Sam Lee reports that the majority of City employees, including players, only discovered news of the charges from the media or messages from friends, family and team-mates.

The journalist further details that at around 2pm on Monday, senior club officials including Ferran Soriano addressed players and football staff to reiterate that the Blues had done nothing wrong and vowed to clear their name.

If found guilty punishments could include expulsion from the Premier League, and should that remarkable possibility come to fruition, then James Ducker has reported that the EFL would have no obligation to accept the Blues.

City’s transfer plans could also be effected as a result of the charges, although Sam Lee has written that the Blues are ‘likely’ to press ahead with contract and transfer plans in the coming months.

The club are set for a significant summer of business, with a series of arrivals and departures expected after an underwhelming campaign so far.

However, representatives of some players have reportedly suggested that the club might find it ‘difficult’ to enter into or continue contract negotiations with some players as a result of the potential punishments on the horizon.

Club captain Ilkay Gundogan is out of contract at the end of the current season, while breakthrough star Rico Lewis has been linked with a new deal.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has claimed that many Premier League clubs want the reigning champions kicked out of the division if they are found guilty of breaking rules over nine seasons.

City have won six titles under different managers since the Abu takeover, and Solhekol claims that there is a feeling that taking away titles retrospectively would be meaningless and cause confusion.

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