Did Duffen sell Turner for just £4 million?

City have been dealt more financial misery with the news that star defender Michael Turner was sold to Sunderland for as little as £4 million.

Despite touting the highly regarded centre-back at an asking price of £12 million, and having supposedly rebuffed attempted bids from Fulham and Liverpool believed to be in the £6 - £8 million region, City fans will be astounded to learn that Turner was sold for as little as £4 million to Sunderland.

The sale couldn`t have come at a worse time for The Tigers, who were left finding a replacement for Turner on the final day of the transfer window. Ultimate desperation led to the capture of Ibrahima Sonko on loan from Stoke - a player who has now fallen out of favour at the KC Stadium after a handful of starts.

Pearson also confirmed the sale of Michael Turner was not essential for the club to continue as "a going concern," adding further to the disbelief of Paul Duffen`s decision to sell. Despite receiving £4 million, 33% was paid to Brentford and Charlton - the defender`s former clubs - leaving City with just £2.8 million.

Pearson has also confirmed that the £2.8 million is all that City will receive for a player tipped for England honours. The Tigers have no, as was widely believed, future payment clauses leaving City out of pocket for a player than was voted "player of the season" the two years before his departure.

The loss of Turner for a seemingly nominal fee not only has financial implications but has also affected the team`s on-field performances, with City failing to effectively replace a vital component of last season`s survival team.

Turner`s former clubs Brentford and Charlton have urged the FA to investigate the deal further with both believing they have missed out on essential cash through lucrative sell on clauses contained in Turner`s contract. Pearson though has assured fans that the club has done nothing wrong, and is confident the FA will not find anything to the contrary within the deal. The necessary documents for the hearing must be filed by 30th November.

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