SHEIKH MANSOUR will not turn his back on his £1.5BILLION investment in Manchester City.
And the fabulously wealthy head of the club’s owners Abu Dhabi United will order that there will be no fire sale of stars like Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane if Uefa’s Champions League ban is upheld.
Sheikh Mansour has ordered City to keep Kevin De Bruyne and their other star players if Uefa Champion’s League ban is upheldCredit: PA:Press Association
City face a loss of at least £170m in European revenue – and a possible Premier League points deduction, if they fail to overturn Friday’s sensational ruling over breaking FFP regulations.
But having put such a huge amount of money into the club since the Abu Dhabi takeover of 2008 the Etihad owner is understood to be determined to realise his long – term ambition.
And that, ironically, is to make the club effectively owned by the United Arab Emirates, is to make City kings of the continent.
Sun Sport understands that chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak has been working with Abu Dhabi and the club’s directors on a worst – case scenario for months.
Manchester City’s stars could push for improved deals to keep them at the EtihadCredit: EPA
City still expect to win their appeal against the Uefa sanctions which also involve a £29m fine when they shortly their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
But even if they lose and the Premier League are also forced take action, Sheikh Mansour will maintain his vast backing.
Abu Dhabi United would see walking away as losing face across world – wide public opinion.
Sheikh Mansour paid £150m to take over from Thaksin Shinawatra and began a transformation in the club that now runs at a total cost of £2bn.
The project run the City Football Group since 2014 also involves the ownership of Mumbai City FC, Melbourne City FC and New York City FC.
It has also overseen the regeneration of East Manchester.
City Football Group worked with Manchester Life Development Company in conjunction with the council in order to build 6,000 affordable houses in the area.
Abu Dhabi United see the achievements of the past 11 and a half years as a source of pride for the UAR and have no intention of abandoning the Etihad.
What is more, while costs will have to be cut to comply with Uefa’s FFP rules it will not be at the expense of losing their top players at deflated prices.
Real Madrid are now confident they will sign Sterling in the summer but they will have to pay the going rate for England’s best attacker – around £150m.
De Bruyne would be valued at around the same price.Remaining owners of City and formulating a new long – term strategy over the next five years is a matter of pride for Abu Dhabi.
So is demanding the correct current value for any of the players who may either want to leave or be forced to go to cut City’s wage bill.
A statement following the release of City’s accounts two years ago read: “Manchester City football club is reliant on its ultimate parent undertaking, Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development Ltd, for its continued financial support.”
That support will continue while the club will not be held to ransom over the sale of it’s biggest names.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
