Jerome Boateng ultimately transferred to Bayern Munich for a fee of fifteen million euros.
The Bundesliga giants were eventually forced to accept Man City's demands and pay the transfer fee. However, shortly afterward, Bayern chairman and UEFA Club Association chairman Rummenigge told reporters that he questioned Man City's sponsors.
He was mainly referring to the sponsorship Man City received from several companies, including Etihad Airways. That funding was the source of Man City's aggressive recruitment.
Rummenigge believed Man City's sponsorships were intended to circumvent UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations. He even stated, "Man City should understand that if they try to play tricks, we will not allow them to participate in the Champions League."
This was not merely because of the Boateng transfer. Man City's refusal to compromise on the transfer fee mattered, but more importantly, traditional powerhouses had begun to feel threatened by Man City's recruitment of star players.
Take Hazard's transfer, for example. He was a prized player coveted by every major club in Europe, yet he ultimately joined Man City.
Never mind Bayern—how could the other giants stand that?
Man City general manager Soriano stepped forward to clarify that there was nothing wrong with the club's sponsors and that UEFA was welcome to investigate at any time. He also stated that Man City would continue increasing its investment, striving to build a team capable of competing at the highest level in both the Premier League and the Champions League. "Our goal is to turn Man City into a top-tier powerhouse."
Jerome Boateng had not traveled to the United States with the team, so his transfer in Europe, along with the argument between Rummenigge and Soriano, did not affect the Man City players training in America.
All the players settled into a simple and dull training-camp routine. Every