Manchester City could be set to spend the next two seasons in the Championship.
According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League is preparing to throw the rule book at City.
Enzo Maresca's men currently sit top of the league table having won their first seven matches.
However, their perfect start to the campaign is being overshadowed by the guilty verdict relating to 100 charges for breach of financial rules.
City maintain their innocence and have already submitted an appeal.
But the Premier League are set to preempt the result of the appeal, by handing down a severe punishment for the offences committed over a near 10-year period between 2009 and 2018.
City will reportedly face a points deduction so significant that it will guarantee their demotion to the second tier of English football for the first time since 2001.
A huge fine is also expected to be handed to them and City could kick off the 2027/2028 season with a points deduction which would severely limit their chances of earning an instant return to the Premier League.