Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'confident of keeping key players despite European ban'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 26 March 2020

Man City 'confident of keeping key players'

Manchester City are reportedly confident that they will be able to keep hold of their key players despite facing a two-year ban from the Champions League.

Manchester City are reportedly confident of keeping hold of their best players despite the prospect of being banned from Europe for the next two seasons.

UEFA announced earlier this year that City would not be able to compete in the Champions League or Europa League during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns, having been found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Man City remain confident that they will successfully appeal against the suspension, but a group of Premier League teams have reportedly rallied in a bid to urge UEFA to uphold the ban while that appeal takes place.

The uncertainty surrounding City's ability to compete at the top level led to suggestions that a number of key players could look to leave the club, but The Mirror reports that the Premier League champions are confident of keeping their star men.

Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne are reportedly close to signing new contracts at the club, while Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva are also set to stay.

The likes of Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez have also been linked with moves away, but Pep Guardiola's own willingness to commit his future to Man City has increased the players' desire to stay.

City were hoping to have their case heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in May, but the coronavirus outbreak could mean that their appeal drags on until later than the summer.