Where should Manchester City’s stars go if there is an Etihad firesale? | OneFootball

The fallout from Manchester City's guilty verdict for financial breaches is set to rumble on. The international break bombshell has thrown the Premier League into disarray, with speculation already turning to what punishment City could face.

A points deduction severe enough to result in relegation has been floated as one possible outcome, a scenario that could trigger an extraordinary Etihad exodus. Juventus faced a similar fate following theCalciopoli scandal, when relegation to Serie B prompted several star names to seek moves elsewhere.

Purely hypothetically, where should Manchester City's biggest stars go if the unthinkable happens? We've done what any responsible outlet would do: picked apart City's squad and found everyone a new home.

Erling Haaland - Barcelona

Undoubtedly the hottest property in what could be a fire-sale, there's not a major club in European football that would not try their luck in signing Haaland. The goal machine has ripped up the record books at the Etihad, scoring 169 goals in 205 games.

Some massive clubs have vacancies, or imminent vacancies, at number nine, but none more so thanBarcelona. A move to the Camp Nou would set up Haaland vs Mbappe on either side of the El Clásico divide, perhaps the perfect sequel to the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry.

Rayan Cherki - Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain have been the standout team in Europe over the past two seasons, so why not add one of France's finest talents to their ranks?

Rayan Cherki can do things with a football others can only imagine, and adding his unpredictability to an already frightening attack hardly seems fair.

Enzo Fernandez - Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone has stacked his squad with some combative compatriots, with Cristian Romero and son Giuliano Simeone adding Argentine argy-bargy to the Atleti ranks.

Enzo Fernandez has a level of devilment that Simeone would surely admire. His passing range, alongside that aggression, makes him an obvious Simeone midfielder. The cost might be tricky, but Atletico have broken the bank before.

Gianluigi Donnarumma - Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich must replace the irreplaceable in the near future, as Manuel Neuer nears the end. The German great will turn 41 later this season, in what might be the final campaign of an incredible career. The towering Donnarumma, still just 27, would offer an ideal replacement.

Marc Guehi - Chelsea

Chelsea have shown a lot to like under Xabi Alonso, with their 'JP Morgan' frontline exciting in the season's early weeks. However, at the other end Chelsea have been a car crash. The Blues have shipped 12 goals in five games and badly need a leader at the back.

Guehi has come on leaps and bounds since leaving his first club in 2021, and might be tempted by a Stamford Bridge return and reunion with former Palace teammateMaxence Lacroix.

Josko Gvardiol - Barcelona

Barcelona need a long-term partner for Pau Cubarsi, and Josko Gvardiol could fit the brief. The Croatian has the athleticism to operate in Hansi Flick's high-line, and the comfort on the ball to be a Barca bedrock.

Antoine Semenyo - Liverpool

Liverpool need greater threat from the right, and Semenyo has already shown under Andoni Iraola that he can thrive in an intense pressing system. Semenyo's stock has risen further since moving to the Etihad in January, having thrived in Iraola's intense style on the south coast.

Jeremy Doku - Arsenal

Arsenal tried and failed to sign a left-winger in the summer, with a bold bid for Vinicius Junior unsuccessful. Jeremy Doku could be just what the Gunners need, with the Belgian almost unstoppable when he's in the mood. His ability to isolate and beat defenders could offer Arsenal a different solution against the deep blocks they so often encounter.