Pep Guardiola has confessed his uncertainty over whether Manchester City's transfer dealings will be affected by the wait for a verdict on the 130 charges they face, hinting that a decision might arrive in February.
The club is currently grappling with allegations of breaching Premier League Financial Fair Play regulations.
An independent commission began proceedings last September, which were anticipated to last from 10 to 12 weeks. Following final submissions at London's International Dispute Resolution Centre earlier this month, a panel is now deliberating, with an outcome expected in 2025.
In the midst of these issues, Guardiola's squad is experiencing their poorest Premier League performance during his tenure, languishing in fifth place after losing eight out of their last 11 matches.
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With Rodri potentially sidelined for the season's remainder and a series of defensive injuries, City are said to be contemplating a foray into the transfer market.
However, the potential severity of any sanctions could deter prospective signings.
When questioned about the possible impact of the charges on City's transfer activities, Guardiola responded: "I don't know. It's going to happen in winter time. I don't know what's going to happen. I know the people are expecting that but I don't know. In February, March, [maybe] will be the sentence."
Guardiola expressed unwavering confidence in his squad ahead of their clash with Aston Villa on Saturday. The Spaniard emphasised his desire to see his injured players return to peak condition rather than pushing for new signings.
"What I want is my players back. I have the same feeling that the squad is really good, it's not about good or bad players but I want the players back," Guardiola stated on Friday.
He also touched upon the club's transfer strategy, saying, "What happens in winter [in the January transfer window] or the end of the season, the club will decide what is best for the team."
Guardiola remained candid about his team's recent form and his personal outlook: "I try to be honest about the feelings of my teams. We fell down six times [number of Premier League games without a win], we have to stand up seven. There is no alternative."
"I'm fine. I'm a normal person with feelings like all of us. When the situation is going well we are better but it's normal. I would not go to the press conference if we were 1-0 up and expressing something that I didn't feel."
