When Sheikh Mansour acquired Manchester City in 2008, the club experienced a dramatic change of fortunes with the infusion of capital enabling them to attract some of the world’s best players.
City have effectively utilized their substantial resources to secure six Premier League titles, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and multiple domestic cups.
Soccernet.football takes a look at the most expensive signings of Manchester City’s incredibly successful era.
10. Matheus Nunes – €62m (2023)
Nunes had caught Pep Guardiola’s eye during his stint at Sporting CP, with the Man City manager describing him as “one of the best players in the world” in 2022. City eventually went all out for the Portuguese’s signature in the summer of 2023, paying a hefty €62 million to Wolverhampton Wanderers to get the deal over the line. Nunes’ City career is yet to really kick off but he already has a Premier League winners medal to his name.
9. Raheem Sterling – €63.7m (2015)
Signing Sterling from Liverpool was a risky move which eventually paid off for Manchester City. Despite taking some time to settle at the Etihad, he went on to become one of the best forwards in the Premier League under the tutelage of Guardiola, scoring 35 goals as City won back-to-back League titles. Sterling swapped Manchester for London in 2022, leaving the Etihad as one of City’s all-time greats.
8. Aymeric Laporte – €65m (2017)
After initially turning down Manchester City to remain at Athletic Club in the summer of 2016, Laporte reconsidered 18 months later and moved to the Etihad in a €65 million transfer. The Spanish center-back adapted effortlessly to English football and was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2018/2019 season. However, after seeing his involvement diminished significantly during City’s treble-winning season, he joined Al-Nassr for €27.5m in the summer of 2023.
7. Joao Cancelo – €65m (2019)
The tactically adept Portuguese joined City from Juventus in 2019 as part of a swap deal which saw Danilo go the other way and he proved to be an excellent addition to Guardiola’s side. Cancelo was an integral part of the title wins in 2020-21 and 2021-22, but fell out of favour in 2023. He joined Bayern Munich on loan in January 2023, before signing for Barcelona on loan for the 2023-24 season.
6. Riyad Mahrez – €67m (2018)
The Algerian joined Manchester City from Leicester in the summer of 2018 but he had to endure a slow start to life at the Etihad. Mahrez eventually rediscovered the form which inspired City to splash €67 million on him, registering 78 goals and 59 assists in 236 appearances in all competitions. City then recouped half of their investment by selling the Algeria international to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in 2023.
5. Rodri – €70m (2019)
City identified Rodri as Fernandinho’s long-term successor and activated the €70 million release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract in 2019. Although he initially faced challenges adapting to Premier League football, he has since established himself as the best defensive midfielder in the world. The Spain international has also contributed crucial goals, including the decisive winner against Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final.
4. Ruben Dias – €71m (2020)
Upon Dias’ arrival at City, some concerns were raised about his ability to defend large spaces but he quickly silenced any doubts, earning the Premier League’s Player of the Year and UEFA’s Defender of the Year honors in the 2020/2021 season. His outstanding performances have also been instrumental in helping City secure three consecutive Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup.
3. Kevin De Bryune – €76m (2015)
De Bryune joined Manchester City from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in 2015 and has since evolved into one of the greatest playmakers the Premier League has ever seen. The Belgian has reached double digits in trophies won, made over 350 appearances, and contributed to more than 225 goals. De Bruyne is a Manchester City legend and one of their greatest signings of all time.
2. Josko Gvardiol – €90m (2023)
Gvardiol became the most expensive defender in football history when he joined Manchester City from Leipzig for €90 million in the summer of 2023. The Croatian however found it difficult to break into the heart of City’s defense and was often deployed in the left-back position as opposed to his natural central defensive position. Given the level at which he performed at left-back last season, we may get to see more of him in the same position in the coming season.
1. Jack Grealish – €117.5m (2021)
Manchester City splashed a mouth-watering €117 million to prise Grealish away from the hands of Aston Villa in 2021. The England international initially struggled to adapt to life under Guardiola and faced ongoing criticism during the 2021/22 season. However, he silenced his critics by rediscovering his best form in 2022/2023, making 50 appearances across all competitions as City secured the treble.