The hearing in the Manchester City 115 case ended in December. Since then, the football world has been waiting for a verdict in the case.

The independent panel that heard the case is currently deliberating and a verdict is expected in the near future. Speaking ahead of his side's FA Cup fourth round tie against Leyton Orient, Pep Guardiola may have dropped a hint as to when the verdict might come.

Pep Guardiola was asked about Manchester City's January spending during the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference. It was there that the City manager dropped a possible hint as to when the verdict might land.

He explained: "It (the verdict) will be soon, I think in a month I think will be the verdict to do it. And the verdict, and after that we will see my opinion on what has happened so far. But at the end of the day, every club can do what they want. Right? And if we can spend, it's because we have the money. The money because in the last five years, three years.

Everyone involved in the game is awaiting the verdict in the 115 case. Manchester City have maintained their innocence since the charges were announced. When the verdict is finally delivered, we will know if City's stance has been vindicated. The issue has dominated the headlines since the Premier League's charges were announced in February. But we are getting closer to some sort of conclusion to the whole affair. But a verdict may only be part of the process that lies ahead.

It wouldn't be surprising to see either Manchester City or the Premier League appeal the verdict when it is announced. But that depends on what the verdict is. Pep Guardiola may have given a clue as to when the verdict will be announced. We now wait to see if Guardiola's opinion is correct or not.