Premier League Financial Forecast 2022: There’s a new king in Manchester – financially, too

Last season ended in another race between Liverpool and Manchester City, after what in large phases of the season looked like another comfortable title win for the Citizens. 

It came down to the very final day of the season, with Manchester City clinching it in true City-style, scoring three goals in five minutes to turn a threatened 2-0 defeat into another Premier League title – their fourth in five years. 

Manchester City are also set to be number one financially in 2021/22, not just in Manchester, but in England. The club are estimated to present revenues of £610 million, which is just £17 million short of eclipsing Manchester United’s all-time high in 2018/19.

The club’s main area of growth during the pandemic has been in the commercial sphere, increasing income from £227 million in 2018/19 to £272 million in 2020/21 for a pillar depressed for almost all other clubs in football during that period.

Last season was no different and Man City are estimated to generate £296 million in commercial income.

Proceeds from broadcast are expected to reach £255 million, while matchday income is seen landing at £57 million. 

Best result since 2015/16

The arrival of Jack Grealish ahead of the season likely had a significant impact on wages, which are forecast to grow by around £10 million, along with the contract extensions of Ederson and Ruben Dias. Player amortisations are projected to increase £8.5 million to £154.2 million.

The sales of Torres and Angelino along with those of Jack Harrison and Lukas Nmecha brought in profits on player sales of £60 million. This landed the club at a forecast EBIT of £21 million, which - after incurring net interest expenses of £5 million - leaves Manchester City with an expected pre-tax profit of £16 million, the best result since 2015/16.

A few weeks before clinching the title, the club announced that they had triggered the release clause for Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, signing the Norwegian superstar on a five-year deal. Off The Pitch’s Player Valuation Tool estimates Haaland to be worth upwards of £155 million, but City only had to pay a third of that. 

The summer signings will undoubtedly see amortisations and wages rise next year again, which puts pressure on the club to keep growing turnover in order to be profitable.