Manchester City were informed by an independent commission of the club's guilt over more than 100 financial breaches in July, prior to completing the majority of their key summer transfers, according to ESPN.
While the verdict was made public only last Friday, the club's hierarchy were aware of the findings months earlier. This news came just before City embarked on a significant transfer campaign, spending over £450 million to bolster their squad under Enzo Maresca.
During the summer window, City broke their transfer record twice:
- Firstly, they signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million (with the agreement reached on December 2 before the verdict was received, and the official transfer taking place on July 23);
- Then, they secured Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a record-breaking £125 million, the highest fee in British football.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the financial case, the club continued their aggressive recruitment, which has resulted in an impressive start to the season. Maresca's side has won all seven of their matches across all competitions and currently top the Premier League table, three points clear of reigning champions Arsenal after winning all five of their opening fixtures.
