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Man City drop new 130 Premier League charges verdict hint amid Liverpool title race

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
-Credit:Getty Images


Liverpool's rivals Manchester City are not prepared to include relegation clauses in any January transfer amid their ongoing legal battle with the Premier League. City could be booted out of the top flight if they found guilty of the most serious of their 130 financial charges against them.

A verdict is expected to be reached in the spring following a 12-week independent hearing which ended in December. City have continued to insist that they are innocent and are preparing for the future as normal as Pep Guardiola prepares to strengthen his squad this month.

Speculation has risen that City might have to introduce guarantees to new arrivals or current players signing fresh contracts to guard against the worst-case scenario: relegation. But, according to The Mirror, City are not going to include such provisions as they prepare to sign players.

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This means that anyone City bring in during the January window won't have a relegation clause in their contract - giving the biggest indication yet that City believe they will not face a nightmare punishment. Although a decision is anticipated by the end of the season, there may subsequently be a further appeal trial.

City are expected to be among the busiest Premier League clubs this month, with Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov set to become their first signing. The 20-year-old Uzbekistan international has agreed a £33.6million move to join City and bolster their defensive ranks after impressive in Ligue 1 this season.

Omar Marmoush, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, is another player on City's agenda with Guardiola keen on signing the 25-year-old Egyptian hotshot in a £60m deal. Douglas Luiz, Ederson, Vitor Reiss and Martin Zubimendi have also been tipped to sign for City before the end of January.

While City's confidence of avoiding a major punishment could send shockwaves across the Premier League, Liverpool might be hopeful that it does not have any impact on them as they chase their second title in five years. Arne Slot's Reds are six points clear at the top of the division with a game in hand.