Those are the vibes among Premier League executives charged with looking after their club’s recruitment, whose job it is to get a sense of which way the wind is blowing in the transfer market.
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Read More“The sense is they’re probably only getting started,” was what one told The i Paper last week, reflecting on a January spend that will probably stretch to nearly £200m when agents’ fees and various other costs are factored in.
If this is the end of the sky blue empire, something many of their closest rivals clearly wish for in 2025, no one inside the club appears to have got that message.
“We are where we are and I know that perfectly,” the City manager said when asked about the prospect of facing Real Madrid, a Champions League juggernaut, so early in the competition.
The lethargy of their midfield, their alarming susceptibility to teams that transition quickly, the general loss of control in games: if a team stocked with good players go for their jugular, it often isn’t pretty.
New signing Omar Marmoush looks to have hit his stride already (Photo: Getty)In all fairness City’s infusion of new blood last month looked like a strategic response to their ills rather than a succession of scattergun signings.
“Clearly the club want to be in the Champions League,” Stefan Borson, football finance expert and former City adviser, tells The i Paper.
“I think that’s what the investment is about, it’s about finishing in the top five. I’m not sure they’d admit it but that’s what the January investment feels about given they are likely to go out against Real Madrid.”
After Madrid’s visit there is the not insignificant matter of Newcastle United at the Etihad on Saturday, a game that has taken on even more importance in the context of an unexpectedly close race for Champions League qualification.
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Read MoreOpta’s industry-respected prediction service Analyst currently rates City’s xPos – or expected finish – as sixth.
Financially, City could survive a year’s exile from Europe’s elite competition without it hurting their bottom line too much.
Last season they banked £175.9m in prize money – more than anyone else in the league – and their latest revenue figures are a breathtaking £715m.
Crucially – unlike most of the rest of the division – they are not hindered by the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
“Whilst the club spent extensively as far as the January window is concerned, this is effectively a catch-up as the club didn’t spend much money in 2024 so their overall spending is much lower than some other clubs in the Premier League.
“When you add in £300m of player sales, they can survive not being in the Champions League.”
Omar Marmoush’s impact has been as positive as predicted, Savinho – quietly – is showing signs he could affect big games, and the fitness issues that undermined key players this season are beginning to clear up.
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Read MoreA resolution to the 115 charges that have lingered over the club for nearly two years also appears close.
“City are obviously confident,” says Borson, who has analysed the case from the start.
How Guardiola could do with some of that conviction on Tuesday.
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