Cavan Sullivan's agent casts doubt on Manchester City move after 114-breach guilty verdict

Cavan Sullivan’s agent has publicly acknowledged that the 17-year-old’s planned move to Manchester City is under threat following the club’s guilty verdict on 114 Premier League financial breaches, with several of Europe’s biggest clubs now monitoring the situation.

City agreed a preliminary deal to sign the Philadelphia Union midfielder when he was 14, with the transfer set to be completed when Sullivan turns 18 in 2027. But agent Dan Segal told Sport that the outcome of City’s ongoing legal battle could yet derail the arrangement. “Manchester City is one of the biggest clubs in the world. What they have built will forever be etched in history,” Segal said. “It’s true that there is a preliminary agreement with them regarding Sullivan, but you never know what can happen. We hope they manage to resolve everything in the best possible way.”

The admission comes at a sensitive moment for City, who were found guilty of almost all of the 115 alleged breaches investigated by the Premier League last week, covering the period between 2009 and 2018. The club have maintained their innocence throughout and are expected to appeal the verdict, but the case has prompted widespread discussion about potential sanctions ranging from points deductions to relegation.

City’s official statement confirmed the process remains ongoing and subject to strict confidentiality, adding that the club had “diligently respected due process for eight years” on the expectation that the Premier League would act as an independent and impartial regulator.

With uncertainty hanging over the club’s future, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are all reported to be tracking Sullivan’s situation, ready to move if the City agreement unravels.

Sullivan himself has already made his mark at senior international level. United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino handed the teenager his first cap in a win over Peru, and was effusive in his assessment. “If we only talk about his performance, he’s doing really well in his club in Philadelphia,” Pochettino said. “Talking only about that, I think he’s ready. He’s mature enough on the field.”

The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager’s endorsement underlines just how highly Sullivan is regarded, making the uncertainty around his club future all the more significant for City as they navigate the fallout from last week’s verdict.