When Sheikh Mansour bought Manchester City in 2008, the club received a lot of money, which allowed them to hire some of the world’s best players.

City has used its money to win six Premier League titles, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and many domestic cups.

Soccernet. football looks at the most expensive signings of Manchester City’s successful era.

10. Matheus Nunes – €62m (2023)

Guardiola saw Nunes play at Sporting CP and called him “one of the best players in the world” in 2022. In the summer of 2023, City paid €62 million to Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign the Portuguese player. Nunes has already won a Premier League title with City.

9. Raheem Sterling – €63.7m (2015)

Manchester City paid £63.7m to sign Sterling from Liverpool. It was a risky move, but it paid off. He took time to settle at the Etihad but became one of the best forwards in the Premier League under Guardiola, scoring 35 goals as City won back-to-back titles. Sterling left Manchester for London in 2022, leaving the Etihad as one of City’s best.

8. Aymeric Laporte – €65m (2017)

Laporte initially turned down Manchester City to stay at Athletic Bilbao. He changed his mind 18 months later and moved to the Etihad for €65 million. The Spanish center-back adapted to English football and was named in the Premier League Team of the Year. He left City after seeing his role reduced during their treble-winning season. He joined Al-Nassr for €27.5m in the summer of 2023.

7. João Cancelo – €65m (2019)

The Portuguese joined City from Juventus in 2019 as part of a swap deal. He proved to be an excellent addition to Guardiola’s side. Cancelo helped win titles in 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 but was benched in 2023. He joined Bayern Munich on loan in January 2023 and then Barcelona on loan for the 2023/2024 season.

6. Riyad Mahrez – €67m (2018)

Mahrez joined Manchester City from Leicester in 2018 but had a slow start. He found his form again and helped City win. In 236 games, he scored 78 goals and made 59 assists. City sold the Algerian international to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in 2023, recouping half of their investment.

5. Rodri – €70m (2019)

City bought Rodri from Atlético Madrid for €70 million. He had trouble at first, but he’s now the best defensive midfielder in the world. He also scored important goals, including the winning goal against Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final.

4. Ruben Dias – €71m (2020)

Some doubted Dias’ ability to defend large spaces, but he quickly proved them wrong, winning the Premier League’s Player of the Year and UEFA’s Defender of the Year awards in the 2020/2021 season. He helped City win three Premier League titles: the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup.

3. Kevin De Bruyne – €76m (2015)

De Bruyne joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2015 and is now one of the best playmakers in the Premier League. The Belgian has won over ten titles, played 350 times, and contributed to over 225 goals. De Bruyne is a Manchester City legend.

2. Josko Gvardiol – €90m (2023)

Guardiola became the most expensive defender in football history when he joined Manchester City from Leipzig for €90 million in 2023. The Croatian had trouble playing in City’s defense. He often played as a left-back instead of in his natural central position. He played well at left-back last season so that we may see more of him in that position next season.

1. Jack Grealish – €117.5m (2021)

Manchester City paid €117 million to acquire Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021. The England international struggled to adjust to Guardiola’s style and faced criticism during the 2021/2022 season. However, he proved his critics wrong by playing well in 2022/2023, helping City win the treble.