Real Madrid is closely monitoring six key Manchester City players in anticipation of severe sanctions for the English club over financial violations.
Manchester City has been found guilty on 114 counts of misconduct. The club plans to appeal once the sanctions are imposed. The Premier League hierarchy insists on immediate expulsion from the top flight or a significant points deduction. Should the football league back this decision and block the club's access to its divisions, City could face demotion to the National League, forcing their star players to seek new pastures.
Spanish publication Sport reports that Real's president Florentino Perez is keeping a close eye on six City stars: Josko Gvardiol, Ayub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, Ryan Cherki, and Erling Haaland.
The interest in these players falls into two distinct categories:
- Image signings without immediate necessity: Erling Haaland and Ryan Cherki. With Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler already on board, Cherki may be seen as an unnecessary addition. Signing Haaland could create an overcrowded attack: Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior who has recently extended his deal, and the £120 million purchase of Jan Diomande are all vying for playing time up front.
- Sporting necessity: Josko Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson, and Enzo Fernandez have the potential to immediately strengthen the starting lineup for Los Blancos. Young talent Bouaddi is evaluated as a future alternative to Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Last summer, Manchester City nipped three midfielders from Real's shortlist. Any harsh disciplinary measures against coach Enzo Maresca could provide Madrid with the chance to rectify their transfer oversights from previous windows.
