Manchester City is reportedly at the forefront of opposition to the Premier League's proposed £1.5 billion financial settlement for the English Football League (EFL). This landmark deal is set to be discussed at a meeting of the 20 clubs on Thursday.
The Premier League aims to put its 10-year offer to a vote on Thursday, hoping to resolve the matter before the new season begins. However, City is understood to have presented a counterproposal, citing concerns over how the package would be funded.
Some of City's concerns are reportedly shared by other 'Big Six' clubs, who would contribute more to the 'New Deal for Football'. A key point of contention for City and other large clubs is the Premier League's proposal to fund the redistribution package by increasing the levy on transfer fees from 4% to 6%, which would result in a larger bill for higher-spending clubs.
The Premier League will only ballot clubs on Thursday if it is confident of securing the 14 votes required for the proposal to pass. Sources are described as cautiously optimistic despite the opposition.
If approved by the clubs and accepted by the EFL, an initial payment of £100 million would be made this season, with larger contributions in subsequent years until the 2035-36 season. It remains unclear if the EFL would accept this initial offer, as its chair, Rick Parry, is believed to be seeking a larger deal.