Manchester City to understand 115 charges verdict “in one month” as Pep Guardiola responds to January spending theory | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has hit back at the suggestion that Manchester City’s January transfer window spend was in preparation for the possibility of a transfer embargo.

Txiki Begiristain and those in recruitment positions at the Etihad Stadium underwent a substantially busier month than they have been used to in previous years, with their last big-money first-team signing in the winter market prior to 2025 coming in 2018.

That window saw Manchester City revive interest from the summer market of 2017 by bringing in now-Spanish international Aymeric Laporte to strengthen their defensive unit from Athletic Bilbao before going on to claim the Premier League title for the first time under Pep Guardiola.

The recent January market was seen as being the first-half of a significant overhaul of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad as club officials sanctioned a spend in excess of €200 million with new players arriving in the defensive, midfield, and forward roles.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis were brought into the rearguard of Pep Guardiola’s squad, while Nico Gonzalez strengthened the defensive midfield position at a significant cost from FC Porto, and Omar Marmoush added much-needed additional goal threat in attack.

But some have wondered whether there was another reason behind Manchester City’s blockbuster spending strategy at the halfway stage of the campaign, aside from their challenging form across competitions.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Pep Guardiola was asked whether City’s increased spending was a preemptive strategy with the possibility of the club being hit with a transfer embargo in the coming months.

“I don’t agree! But my words will not convince when something is installed that we have just that attribute, being in a wealthy position,” Guardiola insisted to reporters during a media address from the City Football Academy.

The Manchester City manager was keen to point out the strong financial position the club finds itself in as he explained, “Just to let you know, in the last five years we are, in terms of net spend, the last one in the top-six.

“But in the last three years, we are the least in the top-six in net spend. Even after what we have spent this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, from (Manchester) United, from Arsenal, from Tottenham, even from Liverpool for the only reason why that we sold a lot in the last seasons. But even with that I know in this club it’s always just about the money.”

Guardiola also appeared to further highlight a potential verdict date for Manchester City’s 115 charges as he said, “It (the verdict) will be soon, I think in one month I think will be the verdict to do it. And the sentence, and after we will see my opinion about what happened so far.

“Still, at the end, every club can do whatever they want. Right? And if we can spend, it’s because we have the money. The money because in the last five years, three years…

“In the last 10 years we are third, but in the last five, in the last three, winning what we won, we are behind the top six teams. So I’m sorry for the comments, that’s why I don’t agree.”