The general train of thought is that any drop down the leagues for City will result in a mass exodus. That players will, at the very least, consider their futures at Etihad Stadium in the event of demotion would be understandable. The squad is brimming with international talent, many of whose profiles and personal sponsorship agreements benefit from plying their trade in the Premier League.
The reaction from current members of the City squad varies depending on who you speak to. From the conversations BBC Sport have had with sources close to the first team, there is certainly a significant level of concern as to how they will be affected. Given the scathing tone of the Premier League's statement on Tuesday, there is major scepticism from people close to the players that the forthcoming appeals will earn the club any reprieve.
But there are others who absolutely believe in City executives Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano's vows to prove the club's innocence. For those players who decide they don't want to drop down the divisions, should it come to that, the process of leaving is unlikely to be straightforward. Firstly there is the contract and the player registrations.
City, regardless of each individual's view on whether they want to depart, have the right to demand transfer fees. Given how much those players are worth in terms of wages and their general value in the market you'd imagine City are unlikely to accept being undercut. That, as BBC Sport understands, the majority of players do not have relegation clauses in their contracts also plays into the club's hands.
But it is also understood that as a general rule the players' contracts are fully guaranteed, meaning they would not be required to take percentage pay cuts if they lose their top-flight status. With one of the highest wage bills in the world, maintaining that level of salary expenditure, even for a club as financially capable as City, will become harder without Premier League-level income. Parachute money could ease those concerns, although there are no guarantees that the club would be entitled to those payments if they are demoted.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing