Top 5 Manchester City’s most expensive signings. Since Sheikh Mansour acquired Manchester City in 2008 through the Abu Dhabi United Group, the team has not looked back. Since then, they have captured seven Premier League crowns, three FA Cups, six League Cups, and one UEFA Champions League.
The support they received after the takeover played a big part in their current success. In recent years, City has hosted some of the top players in Europe, and it has resulted in some hefty transfer costs.
With all of this success, how would you rate Manchester City’s top five most expensive signings in history? Let’s research this.
#5 Jack Grealish – £100m:
Since Jack Grealish moved from Aston Villa for a record-breaking sum, his first season was difficult on a personal level. He has, however, demonstrated his talent in the 2022–23 campaign, helping City win the treble and thereby demonstrating his abilities.
This season, Grealish participated in 50 games in all competitions, up from 39 games the year before. It can take time to get used to Pep Guardiola’s brand of football, but this season it seems like Grealish was able to accomplish it.
Grealish received a sizable payment, which put more pressure on him to deliver. In contrast, if he can maintain his last season’s level of play, he will, if he hasn’t already, recover that £100 million.
#4 Riyad Mahrez – £60m:
After moving from Leicester City, where he notably won the Premier League and the PFA Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez joined City and has already played there for five seasons.
Mahrez has consistently produced well for City since joining the team. Since joining, the Algerian winger has contributed to the league with more than 10 goals per season.
Since joining City, Guardiola has frequently changed Mahrez despite his strong performances. Mahrez, though, has been a key component of Guardiola’s brilliant rotation that has helped the team win every award on the table.
#3 Ruben Dias – £62m:
When Ruben Dias joined Benfica in the 2020–21 season, he had a significant impact right away. He received high accolades for helping City win the Premier League championship by bringing poise, leadership, and defensive prowess to the backline.
He received awards for Premier League Player of the Season, City Player of the Season, and FWA Player of the Year for 2020–21.
Since the first season, Dias has experienced more success. Each season he has played, City has won the Premier League, and last season’s treble was made possible in large part by him.
City’s defense appeared a little bit more brittle than normal before to Dias’ arrival. However, they haven’t turned around since the arrival of the Portuguese defender.
#2 Rodri – £60m:
Pep Guardiola is the only coach Rodri will ever play for. With superb technical skills, he plays as City’s deepest midfielder, disrupting play and assisting in the buildup.
As seen by the minutes he played this season during City’s treble-winning campaign, he is essential to City. In comparison to other City players, Rodri played the most minutes (4,476), according to Transfermarkt. Rodri has been among the top five City players for minutes played in each of his seasons there.
June 2023 may have been his most significant occasion while wearing a City shirt. City needed a hero when the score in the Champions League final versus Inter Milan was tied at 0-0. In the 68th minute, Rodri emerges to shoot the ball from just inside the box past Andre Onana. It was a goal that gave City the victory and secured the Champions League and an unprecedented triple for them.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne – £65m:
Since moving from Wolfsburg to City, Kevin De Bruyne has been without a doubt a success. The Belgian midfielder has spent eight seasons at City and has five Premier League championships, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and a Champions League to his name.
He has 102 assists in the Premier League over the seasons because of his exceptional creativity as a player. He now ranks fourth in Premier League history for assists made.
In addition to team achievement, De Bruyne has received numerous individual honors. He has won numerous awards, including four seasons at City, two PFA Player of the Year titles, two Premier League Player of the Season titles, and more.
These distinctions in years when City has amassed a number of titles demonstrate the influence De Bruyne has had since joining.
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