Man City's 10 most expensive transfers of all time

When Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in August 2008, Manchester City’s fortunes were changed forever, with the influx of money ensuring they were able to attract the best players in the world.

The €43 million signing of Robinho just days into Mansour’s reign set things in motion, and since then he has spent well over €1 billion on transfers.

With over 20 trophies in total, including the historic treble in 2022-23, it’s fair to say that Mansour’s money has brought immense success to Man City.

Below, FootballTransfers lists Man City’s 10 most expensive signings of all time.

10. Aymeric Laporte – €65m (from Athletic Club, 2018)

As expected when it comes to buying from Athletic Club, Aymeric Laporte cost a fortune when City signed him in January 2018.

His reinforcement helped the side to the title that year, while his second full season at the club was hampered by injury, and his absence saw the title slip from City’s grasp as Liverpool strode to glory.

Although John Stones and Ruben Dias went on to form a formidable partnership in their own right, Laporte was still a vital member of the City squad and he played a role in their treble-winning 2022-23 season.

However, his involvement had diminished significantly and he joined Al-Nassr for €27.5m in 2023.

9. Joao Cancelo – €65m (from Juventus, 2019)

Part of a swap deal that involved Danilo going the other way, Joao Cancelo was an excellent addition to the Man City squad.

After an adaption year in 2019-20, Cancelo came into his own in his second season, and was the epitome of a Guardiola player.

His tactical versatility was immense, with the Portuguese international starting from either full-back role, and moving inside as a central midfielder when City had the ball.

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.

He made a permanent move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal in 2024, but he returned to European shores by rejoining Barcelona on loan in January 2026.

8. Riyad Mahrez – €67.8m (from Leicester, 2018)

It took a few years following Leicester City’s shock Premier League win before Riyad Mahrez was granted his wish to move away, and when it happened, it didn’t come cheap.

However, City knew the talent he possessed, and with arguably the best first touch in football, Mahrez was a joy to watch.

He was unplayable on his day and enjoyed five trophy-laden seasons at the Etihad Stadium before leaving for Al-Ahli in 2023. Mahrez departed Man City with 78 goals and 59 assists in 236 games.

7. Rodri – €70m (from Atletico Madrid, 2019)

Rodri was the player selected by Man City to replace the ageing Fernandinho and they couldn’t have picked a better signing if they tried.

After a sluggish first year in which he adjusted to English football, Rodri came into his own in 2020-21, helping the side to yet another Premier League triumph.

His value to Man City was epitomised when he finished fifth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, while he was immortalised when he scored the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final. He then won the Ballon d’Or the following year.

6. Ruben Dias – €71.6m (from Benfica, 2020)

Now, this was a risk. Ruben Dias was seen as an immense talent in Portugal, but his slight weakness in defending big spaces caused many to worry about his big-money move to Man City.

However, he eased those concerns within weeks of his arrival in England, before guiding City to Premier League glory, and winning the FWA Player of the Year award in a stellar first season.

He went from strength to strength from there and was pivotal in the treble-winning season of 2022-23, before helping the club win another Premier League title the following year.

5. Antoine Semenyo – €72m (from Bournemouth, 2026)

Antoine Semenyo is the most recent addition to this list following his €72m move from Bournemouth in January 2026.

The Ghana forward had enjoyed an eye-catching 2024-25 campaign with Andoni Iraola’s side, but he snubbed significant interest in his signature by signing a new contract with the Cherries.

However, Semenyo began the new season in red-hot form and after 14 goal contributions in the first 20 Premier League matches of 2025-26, Man City fought off substantial competition to sign him for €72m during the winter transfer window. He won his first trophy at the club – the Carabao Cup – less than three months after his arrival.

4. Omar Marmoush – €75m (from Eintracht Frankfurt, 2025)

Man City endured an uncharacteristically poor start to the 2024-25 campaign and decided to act in the January window, splashing more than €200m on new signings.

The most expensive arrival – and indeed the club’s biggest-ever January arrival – was Eintracht Frankfurt hotshot Omar Marmoush, who joined for a whopping €75m.

The Egyptian had set the Bundesliga alight with 20 goals and 14 assists in just 27 appearances before moving to City. He started his career at the Etihad Stadium in similar fashion, before losing his starting XI following Erling Haaland’s return to full fitness.

3. Kevin De Bruyne – €76m (from Wolfsburg, 2015)

Signed the year before Guardiola arrived, Kevin De Bruyne joined Man City with the weight of the English press’ criticism on his shoulders.

After an underwhelming spell at Chelsea, in which he was never really given a fair shot, he then lit up the Bundesliga and after signing for City, De Bruyne became one of the world’s best players.

The Belgian hit double-digits for trophies won, made over 350 appearances, and contributed to over 225 goals. De Bruyne is a Manchester City legend, and one of the their greatest ever signings.

It’s hard to think that €76m could be a bargain, but De Bruyne proved that it’s possible before his Bosman move to Napoli in 2025.

2. Josko Gvardiol – €90m (from RB Leipzig, 2023)

Josko Gvardiol became the most expensive defender in football history when he joined Man City from Leipzig for €90m in the summer of 2023.

Gvardiol had emerged as arguably the best young defender on the planet in the Bundesliga and was one of the stars at the 2022 World Cup as Croatia made it all the way to the semi-finals.

Gvardiol had a mixed first season at City as he had to adjust to being used primarily in a nominal left-back role but he eventually recaptured his Leipzig form.

1. Jack Grealish – €117.5m (from Aston Villa, 2021)

Jack Grealish overtook Kevin De Bruyne as Manchester City’s most expensive transfer of all time in the summer of 2021.

His €117.5m move from Aston Villa made him the most expensive English and British transfer in history, although that record has since been broken.

Grealish had established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting and creative players at Aston Villa, but his first season at Man City didn’t go to plan.

He resurrected his Man City career during the 2022-23 campaign and played a major role in their aforementioned treble, but eventually saw his influence wane again and he was sent on loan to Everton for the 2025-26 season.

The 10 most expensive Man City signings of all time

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