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Pep Guardiola has rejected suggestions that Manchester City’s £170 million January spending spree was influenced by fears of a potential transfer embargo due to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules.
City made significant acquisitions before the transfer deadline, signing Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez to bolster a squad struggling in the league and barely making it into the Champions League play-offs.
Speaking ahead of City’s FA Cup fourth-round clash against Leyton Orient, Guardiola acknowledged that the verdict on the club’s 115 alleged financial rule breaches could arrive in the coming weeks.
A potential transfer ban is among several possible sanctions if City are found guilty, though the club has denied any wrongdoing.
Guardiola defended City’s spending, arguing that their net spend remains lower than other top clubs.
“In the last five years, we are the last team in the top six for net spend,” he said. “Even after this transfer window, we are still behind Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and even Liverpool.
“We have sold a lot in recent seasons, but no matter what we do, people always say it’s just about money. Every club can do what they want, and in a month, we’ll have a verdict and see what happens.”
