Manchester City have played their part in some of the biggest transfers in the history of the Premier League and world football.
Ever since Sheik Mansour bought the club in 2008, Manchester City have been one of the richest football clubs in the world, capable of providing their managers with a near-unlimited transfer budget.
Though City also have a fantastic academy system that is producing incredible talent, heavy spending in the transfer market is often required to enhance the first-team squad.
Millions have been spent on Pep Guardiola’s team and he has won a lot of trophies in return, with many of the signings going on to become legends.
The summer transfer window of 2024 was actually a cheap one, with Savinho being the only player the club spent money on, but there has been a long list of big-money moves over the years…
Manchester City’s most expensive transfers ever
1. Jack Grealish
Signed from Aston Villa in 2021: £100m
2. Josko Gvardiol
Signed from RB Leipzig in 2023: £77.6m
3. Ruben Dias
Signed from Benfica in 2020: £65m
4. Rodri
Signed from Atletico Madrid in 2019: £62.5m
5. Joao Cancelo
Signed from Juventus in 2019: £60m
6. Riyad Mahrez
Signed from Leicester City in 2018: £60m
7. Aymeric Laporte
Signed from Club Athletic in January 2018: £57m
8. Jeremy Doku
Signed from Rennes in 2023: £55.5m
9. Kevin De Bruyne
Signed from Wolfsburg in 2015: £54.5m
10. Matheus Nunes
Signed from Wolves in 2023: £54m
11. Benjamin Mendy
Signed from Monaco in 2017: £52m
12. Erling Haaland
Signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2022: £51m
13. Kyle Walker
Signed from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017: £50m
14. John Stones
Signed from Everton in 2016: £50m
15. Raheem Sterling
Signed from Liverpool in 2015: £49m
16. Kalvin Phillips
Signed from Leeds United in 2022: £45m
17. Leroy Sane
Signed from Schalke in 2016: £44.7m
18. Bernardo Silva
Signed from Monaco in 2017: £43m
19. Eliaquim Mangala
Signed from Porto in 2014: £42m
20. Nathan Ake
Signed from Bournemouth in 2020: £41m
21. Sergio Aguero
Signed from Atletico Madrid in 2011: £38m
22. Ederson
Signed from Benfica in 2017: £35m
23. Fernandinho
Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013: £34m
24. Robinho
Signed from Real Madrid in 2008: £32.5m
25. Nicolas Otamendi
Signed from Valencia in 2015: £32m
Man City have a remarkable transfer success rate
City are blessed with deep pockets so any transfer mishaps can be easily rectified shortly afterwards in the following transfer windows.
There have certainly been a few examples of the club spending big money on a player and the move not working out. Eliaquim Mangala, Kalvin Phillips and Benjamin Mendy are the biggest examples while the jury is still out on Matheus Nunes.
However, for the most part, City have had a remarkable success rate when throwing their cash about, with the vast majority of big-money signings going on to lift trophies and either become real successes at the club or quickly being sold for profit.
