Manchester City’s reported guilty verdict on 114 financial-rule charges could bring serious sanctions. Could Haaland and other stars leave if the punishment is severe?
Manchester City could be facing another major squad upheaval, with the club’s financial case now raising questions over the futures of several key players. Reports on September 25 said an independent commission had found Manchester City guilty of 114 of 115 alleged Premier League financial-rule breaches, setting up a potentially significant sanctions process. Manchester City have denied wrongdoing and are expected to appeal. The club also says the Premier League process remains ongoing, while the commission’s full written decision has not yet been published.
The possible consequences range from financial penalties to sporting sanctions, and that has fuelled speculation about a fresh player exodus. The Sun reported that Erling Haaland could be among those who consider leaving if Manchester City receives a significant punishment, particularly in a relegation scenario. Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson, and Rayan Cherki were also mentioned in the report. None of the four has been reported as having agreed an exit.
Read more: Manchester City And The Saga Of Financial Irregularities
Which Manchester City Players Have Already Left?
Manchester City’s summer turnover is a separate issue from the latest speculation surrounding the financial case. Nine senior first-team players have already left during the transition into the 2026/27 season. Bernardo Silva and John Stones departed after their contracts expired, while Rodri, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Nico Gonzalez completed permanent transfers. These are confirmed departures rather than players being linked with moves because of the financial case.
| Player | Status | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Bernardo Silva | Confirmed departure | Real Madrid |
| John Stones | Confirmed departure | Inter Milan |
| Rodri | Confirmed departure | Barcelona |
| Manuel Akanji | Confirmed departure | Inter Milan |
| Nathan Ake | Confirmed departure | Fenerbahce |
| James Trafford | Confirmed departure | Leeds United |
| Tijjani Reijnders | Confirmed departure | Al-Qadsiah |
| Savinho | Confirmed departure | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Nico Gonzalez | Confirmed departure | Newcastle United |
That turnover has already removed significant experience from the squad. The Guardian reported that players responsible for 37.2% of Manchester City’s Premier League minutes in 2025/26 have not appeared for the club in the league this season.
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Who Could Leave Next?
Haaland is the biggest name connected to the potential second wave, but his departure has not been confirmed. The Sun reported that the striker could consider leaving if Manchester City faces a significant punishment, with relegation cited as a particularly serious scenario. A separate report from the same outlet said Haaland does not have a relegation release clause in his current contract, meaning relegation would not automatically trigger his exit.
Fernandez, Anderson, and Cherki have also been named in reports discussing players who could potentially be affected by a major sanction. All three joined Manchester City as part of the club’s recent rebuild, so losing them would further alter a squad that has already undergone substantial turnover. There is no confirmed indication that any of the three is seeking a transfer.
The distinction is important. Manchester City’s nine summer exits are completed transfers or contract departures. Haaland, Fernandez, Anderson, and Cherki remain Manchester City players and belong in the speculation surrounding what might happen after the financial case.
What Could The Sanctions Mean For Manchester City?
A reprimand would be primarily disciplinary. It would formally censure Manchester City without necessarily creating a direct sporting or financial disruption to the squad. A fine would impose a financial cost on the club. The size of any penalty has not been announced, so its effect on Manchester City’s transfer spending and wider finances cannot yet be measured.
A points deduction would have a direct sporting impact. Manchester City could lose points in the league, affecting their position in the table and potentially their qualification for European competition. Reporting has also raised the possibility of retrospective consequences connected to previous seasons. A suspension or expulsion would be considerably more disruptive. Suspension could prevent Manchester City from competing for a specified period, while expulsion from the Premier League would remove the club from the competition altogether.
The Premier League rules provide for a range of possible sanctions, with the eventual punishment depending on the disciplinary process. The severity of the eventual punishment could therefore affect not only Manchester City’s finances but also the competitive environment in which the players operate. That is the link between the financial case and the possibility of a further exodus.
Also read: Manchester United Continues To Be In The Red
What Happens Next In Manchester City’s Case?
Manchester City’s reported commission finding is now heading toward an appeal process, while the eventual sanction remains to be determined. Until those stages are completed, there is no basis to treat the reported player exits as confirmed moves.
For now, Manchester City have already lost nine senior players, while the names of Haaland, Fernandez, Anderson, and Cherki have entered the conversation only because of the possible consequences of a severe punishment. The summer transfer window may have produced the first wave of change, but the financial case could determine whether another one follows. Could Manchester City’s financial case trigger a second wave of departures from the Etihad?