Top 10 most expensive transfers in Manchester City history

The club are known for splashing huge money on world-class players.

There are few clubs that can outperform Manchester City in the transfer market. Backed by rich owners, the club has built a strong team thanks to high-profile arrivals in the past decade. Recruiting top players across the globe requires one to pay huge sums of money to the selling clubs. This is where the Premier League giants have an edge over their competition. 

However, one must commend their transfer strategy over the years, buying players that are not only world-class but also fit the style of the club’s gameplay. Unlike neighbours Manchester United, MCFC’s expensive buys usually deliver the goods. Ahead of the 2022-23 season, the reigning Premier League winners have already secured the signature of world-class striker Erling Braut Haaland.

They paid €60m for the services of the forward. Let us take a look at where the Norwegian stands in terms of record arrivals at the Etihad. Here are the top 10 most expensive Manchester City buys:

10. Erling Haaland - €60m

You expected this to be higher up the list, didn't you? The latest entrant in this list is Erling Haaland. Manchester City paid €60m to Borussia Dortmund for the player who is one of the most lethal forwards in Europe at the moment. The 22-year-old scored 88 goals and made 22 assists in merely 85 appearances for the German club. Haaland follows in the footsteps of his father Alfie Haaland, a former MCFC player. 

9. Rodri - €62.7m

The Spanish midfielder has been the backbone of Manchester City's recent success and he cost the club €62.7m in transfer fees. The Spaniard made the move to the English outfit from Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, Rodri has won two Premier League titles, two English League cups and one Community Shield. 

8. Raheem Sterling - €63.7m

Raheem Sterling was one of the many purchases by Manchester City as they rose to become world-class and started winning multiple trophies. The English international was only 20 when the club paid €63.7m to Liverpool for him back in 2015. He has now joined Chelsea FC ahead of the 2022-23 season after winning four Premier League titles with the Cityzens across seven years.

7. Aymeric Laporte - €65m

Manchester City has spent huge sums of money on reinforcing their defence over the years. One of the high-profile defenders that the club signed is Aymeric Laporte. The centre-back cost the club €65m, who arrived in England from Athletic Club in Spain. He has won four league titles with MCFC and has made 153 appearances across all competitions. 

6. Joao Cancelo - €65m

Joao Cancelo was a major signing by Manchester City and the full-back is showing why the club chose to pay a huge transfer fee for him. The Cityzens shelled out €65m for the defender, making him the second most expensive right-back in the world. Since his arrival from Juventus in 2019, Cancelo has only gone better and already has five trophies with the club. Recently, he was awarded the No. 7 jersey.  

5. Riyad Mahrez - €67.8m

Riyad Mahrez was a crucial figure in helping Leicester City win the Premier League title in 2016, all of this against herculean odds. The Algerian international cost MCFC a whopping €67.8m in 2018. However, the huge investment paid off incredibly as Mahrez helped the club win three Premier League titles, three league cups, two Community Shields and one FA Cup. Mahrez is one of Pep Guardiola's go-to options whenever the team needs a goal.  

4. Ruben Dias - €68m

Ruben Dias is the most expensive defender bought by Manchester City. The English giants paid €68m to SL Benfica for this exceptional centre-back. His arrival in 2020-21 was transformative for MCFC as the defender quickly became an integral part of the team. Dias is the fifth-most expensive centre-back of all time. He has won two Premier League titles in his first two seasons with the club already and looks set to wear the armband in the years to come.

3. Kevin De Bruyne - €76m

Kevin De Bruyne is the second most expensive purchase in Manchester City. The former Chelsea player was at Wolfsburg when the English outfit paid €76m to bring him back to England in 2015. This signing was central to Pep Guardiola's plans as he used Bruyne in a number of roles. Versatility on the ball and across the pitch, the Belgian is regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football currently and has already won several trophies at the Etihad.

2. Josko Gvardiol - €90m

Manchester City have signed the most expensive defender in the history of football. Pep Guardiola was eyeing the Croatian centre-back since their last meeting in the Champions League. Having won back-to-back DFB Pokal with RB Leipzig, the defender carries a bit of experience. He is just 21 and is a future prospect at the club.

1. Jack Grealish - €117.5m

Jack Grealish is the most expensive purchase by Manchester City in its history. He also became the most expensive British player after the club paid €117.5m to Aston Villa for his signature in 2021. He is the seventh-most expensive transfer of all time. While Grealish did win the Premier League in his first season, he could only score six goals and made four assists in 39 overall appearances. City fans expect a lot more from the English midfielder.

Last updated on 6 August 2023

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