Manchester City has yet to make a splash in the 2024 summer transfer window, but this could be a positive indicator of strategic planning.
This week, there’s buzz about a new, earlier transfer deadline—distinct from the usual August 30 cutoff for Premier League clubs. Following points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest last season due to breaches of the Profit and Sustainability Rules, clubs are racing to get their finances in order by the end of this month.
Clubs that fail to demonstrate compliance could face serious repercussions, such as points deductions. Both Forest and Everton argued they had special circumstances for missing the deadline, but the Premier League and independent panels did not find these arguments persuasive.
To navigate these stringent regulations and avoid penalties, clubs are resorting to creative financial maneuvers. Aston Villa, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Everton are all engaged in various deals this month to ensure they meet their PSR obligations.
For example, Everton’s Lewis Dobbin moved to Aston Villa, while Villa’s Tim Iroegbunam transferred in the opposite direction, both for £9 million. Similarly, Chelsea and Newcastle are exploring comparable deals, effectively swapping young players and registering high transfer fees as profit while spreading the cost over an extended period.
These transactions, while technically within the rules, seem designed to help clubs tidy up their PSR accounts before the June 30 submission deadline.
Imagine the uproar if Manchester City were involved in such dealings. The Etihad would likely receive little praise for being shrewd and strategic.
Interestingly, City has been notably quiet in the transfer market this summer. Despite rumors of a £100 million bid for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, these whispers quickly vanished, and the rumored release clause seems to have expired.
Once again, it appears City is waiting for the right moment, likely post-European Championship, to make any significant moves. They have no urgent need to sell academy players, having generated substantial revenue from the CFA over the past decade—more than both Villa and Newcastle, according to recent studies.
As other clubs scramble to meet their PSR deadlines, City fans can take comfort in the club’s calm and calculated approach. Their lack of activity suggests a well-controlled and confident strategy.
