Manchester City could potentially owe more than £527million to Premier League rivals if the club’s alleged financial breaches ultimately lead to compensation claims.
According to an analysis of league prize money by OLBG, clubs who competed in the Premier League from 2011 until last season could be due a combined £527.9m in additional Merit Payments if City’s results and league positions were removed from the calculations.
The figures are based on a hypothetical redistribution of Premier League Merit Payments rather than an established compensation order.
Potential beneficiaries
Everton are estimated to be the biggest potential beneficiaries, with a difference of almost £29m. Manchester United and West Ham follow, with potential increases of £28.1m and £28.09m respectively.
Crystal Palace (£27.3m), Newcastle United (£26.9m) and Chelsea (£25.8m) are also among those calculated to have missed out financially, while Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal are each estimated to have lost more than £21m.
Analysis period and method
The analysis covers the period from 2011-12 to 2025-26, although figures for the most recent season are estimates because the Premier League has not yet published its official central payments.
OLBG calculated the potential differences by removing City from league standings and moving other clubs up one position where applicable. The resulting Merit Payments were then compared with the amounts originally received.
City's own central payments over the period are estimated at more than £2.04bn, with the club winning seven Premier League titles during the period covered. Their highest estimated annual central payment was £192.5m in 2025-26.
Ongoing fallout
The analysis follows the ongoing fallout from the Premier League's 115 charges against City. The Athletic reported last week that the club was found guilty on 114 of those charges, including alleged financial fair play breaches over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
However, the figures do not represent a confirmed debt owed by City to other clubs. Any compensation would depend on subsequent sporting, legal or financial proceedings and could involve claims beyond Premier League prize money.
OLBG state that potential claims could extend to other areas, including lost European qualification, sponsorship income and bonuses.
