Sorry, It's The Rules: Manchester City Must Sell Players

Manchester City have been known over the past few years as a team who could afford just about any player they wanted. Since Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club in 2008, the club have bought Robinho, Gareth Berry, Roque Santa Cruz, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Joleon Lescott, Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure, David Silva, and Aleksandar Kolarev, as well as other role players. The club's purchases have lifted the club to fifth in the Premier League and into the UEFA Europa League.

However, no one can escape the rules, and the Eastlands' club are going to have to face reality, as they will be forced to sell at least thirteen players by September First.

This comes after manager Roberto Mancini set a goal of spending 100 million British pounds by the end of the transfer period.

The original number reported by ESPNSoccernet is twelve, but reports indicate an agreement has been reached between Inter Milan and Manchester City in a deal for Italian teenage phenom Mario Balotelli.

New Premier League rules require all clubs to submit a roster of twenty five men by September First. Manchester City currently would have a roster of thirty seven, meaning they must sell twelve. The club must have eight players who are "home grown," meaning they have played three years in England or Wales before they were twenty one. This will not affect City. The list can also be supplemented with an unlimited amount of players under twenty one.

"I know that we must sell some players because in 20 days [sic] we must have a list with 25 players," says Mancini. "I am disappointed because some players must change teams now. It is difficult for them to play for us. When you play in four competitions you must have a large squad because if not you have difficulties. For this it's important we have 25 players."

The only player that has been constantly linked with a move away from the club is Robinho, who would love to stay in Brazil with Santos. Other names are currently only speculation.

According to ESPNSoccernet, any player who is not selected for the roster and is not sold must either go out on loan or pretty much sit around until the winter transfer market opens.

The number may actually spring to fourteen for City, as they still have hopes of buying James Milner from Aston Villa. Reports have linked the midfielder to the club for several weeks. Mancini also wants Liverpool's Fernando Torres, who he says he would pay 70 million pounds for.

He has also been eager to acquire American superstar Landon Donovan, but MLS have defiantly declared that Donovan is staying in Los Angeles with the Galaxy.

No moves have yet been made and no rumors have been reported.