Manchester City stars could head for Real Madrid if relegation follows financial case, AI predicts

Manchester City could lose a number of their leading players if they are relegated from the Premier League after failing in their appeal against financial charges, with Real Madrid predicted to be the biggest beneficiaries.

An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations over nine seasons, as well as most of the allegations concerning a lack of co-operation with the league’s investigation.

The club continues to deny the charges and maintains its innocence. Manchester City has therefore lodged an appeal, but a failed challenge could lead to points deductions, fines and potentially expulsion from the Premier League.

Relegation would also leave City facing the possibility of losing their entire squad, particularly their most high-profile players.

According to The Sun, an artificial intelligence prediction identified Real Madrid as the club most likely to benefit, with the Spanish side potentially able to sign eight Manchester City players, including Erling Haaland.

Haaland, who is 26, has long been linked with Real Madrid, who are still searching for their next leading centre-forward following Karim Benzema’s departure. A move would see them beat Barcelona to the Norway international, with their domestic rivals also monitoring him.

Real Madrid also attempted to sign Enzo Fernandez last summer. They could finally secure the 25-year-old midfielder if Manchester City are relegated, having previously beaten the Spanish club to his signature.

Ayoub Bouaddi, Phil Foden, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Josko Gvardiol could join Haaland and Fernandez at Real Madrid, while Mateo Kovacic could return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Manchester clubs and Liverpool linked with City players

Manchester United are predicted to be able to complete five major signings as a result of the situation. They could revive their previous interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma and Elliot Anderson, while Matheus Nunes could strengthen the right-back position.

United could also sign two players who developed in Manchester, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis.

Liverpool are another Premier League club expected to try to take advantage. They could finally land former targets Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, who came close to moving to Anfield before Crystal Palace abandoned the transfer in 2025, despite the defender having sent a farewell message to the club’s supporters.

Semenyo and Guehi, both 26, could be joined at Liverpool by Rayan Ait-Nouri and City captain Ruben Dias. Dias would form a central defensive partnership with Virgil van Dijk.

Arsenal could pursue Jeremy Doku and take him to Emirates Stadium to work under Mikel Arteta, who previously served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea could re-sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, while Everton may bring back former player Iliman Ndiaye after he left for Manchester City last summer.

Rayan Cherki could return to France with Paris Saint-Germain, rivals of his former club Lyon. Geronimo Rulli could join Real Sociedad, while Alan may move to Palmeiras.