Liverpool set new £300m Man City challenge after Pep Guardiola exit amid 115 charges wait

Manchester City are reportedly getting ready to provide a huge transfer war chest to Pep Guardiola’s successor

Pep Guardiola has less than 12 months to run on his Man City contract

Manchester City are reportedly planning to cushion the impact of Pep Guardiola’s potential departure by offering his successor a whopping £300million transfer budget. Guardiola joined the Etihad Stadium outfit back in 2016 and has since guided the club to an impressive haul of silverware.

His glittering trophy cabinet includes six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Champions League in 2023. This season, City are aiming for a fifth consecutive Premier League crown

It’ something Liverpool would, naturally, love to prevent with the Reds being City’s nearest rivals for the title over the Guardiola era, beating City to the top prize in 2020. Despite a change of manager themselves this summer with Jurgen Klopp replaced by Arne Slot, Liverpool have got off to the perfect start.

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In their three Premier League games, so far, they have scored seven goals and are yet to concede; Slot’s men sit alongside City as the only two clubs yet to drop a single point. City’s on-field success has translated into financial prosperity, with increased revenue and a total profit of £122million from player trading over the last two years.

This is positive news for the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability regulations (PSRs) and the new UEFA financial regulations. According to The Mirror, City could look to utilise these funds to gift-wrap their next manager with a transfer budget exceeding £300million.

Guardiola’s current contract expires in less than a year, but the club is eager for him to extend his stay. However, the club is still facing 115 charges from the Premier League for allegedly providing inaccurate financial information with such accusations dating 10 years between 2009 and 2018.

City are set to face a hearing in front of an independent panel later this month. It’s expected to last for around 10 weeks – with an outcome not due until early next year

Liverpool Champions League special

Liverpool are on the hunt for their seventh European Cup. And this Liverpool Echo guide to the competition is the perfect companion to guide Reds fans through the new-look tournament.

We look at the key factors for new boss Arne Slot as he looks to add the latest chapter in the proud European history of the club, and the players who can help him achieve that.

We break down Liverpool’s opposition in the league stage, look at the 10 top stars in the competition and also turn the spotlight on all 36 clubs battling it out for the trophy.