Four Premier League heavyweights have reportedly filed legal notices to seek compensation if Manchester City are found guilty of their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have all lodged potential compensation claims ahead of a possible statute of limitations deadline last week, as reported by The Times.
It's suggested that legal advice prompted the clubs to register these potential claims now due to the 1980 Limitation Act's six-year period for legal claims for contract breaches.
The Football Leaks documents, which first brought the allegations against City, were initially published by German website Der Spiegel in early November 2018.
If City are found guilty, it's expected that the clubs will claim for loss of earnings, reports the Mirror.
An independent commission continues to review City's case and if they're found guilty of a number of the 115 charges, it's been suggested they could face expulsion from the Premier League.
Among City's alleged rule breaches are failing to provide accurate financial information for nine separate seasons starting in 2009, including full pay details of former head coach Roberto Mancini and players.
City, with their legal team headed by Lord Pannick, maintain they have not violated any rules. Pep Guardiola, the head coach, has publicly stated that if the club's management had deceived him about their innocence, he would resign.
A verdict is anticipated towards the end of this season, and there may be room for further appeals. The current Premier League champions are five points behind Liverpool in the league as we approach the final international break of 2024.
City have suffered four consecutive losses in all competitions - a first in Guardiola's managerial career - and have found it difficult without injured midfielder Rodri.
However, defender Ruben Dias has warned rivals not to underestimate them. "I would say, please doubt us, doubt us, feel welcome to do so," the centre back said.
"When we did the treble, we even called it the dark January," he said. "We had a tough period. But it is what it is."
"What matters is how you bounce back from these moments. That's why our team has won so much because in moments of difficulty, the characters come up and we stay together."
"We don't find people to kill, we find people to bring into the cause and fight together. That's what we need to do once again."