Since the City Football Group’s takeover of Man City and the arrival of Pep Guardiola, Man City has spent a lot rebuilding its team. The club has made incremental gains with these signings since the 2016/17 season.

The Man City owners are trying to establish yet another global brand that would dominate not just the English football scene but the European continent. The club has, however, failed to win a European title since the takeover despite close attempts.

For Pep Guardiola, one of the areas he’d had problems, in the forward position. He lacked a genuine goalscorer who could guarantee goals week in and week out. And this was behind the club’s decision to sign Erling Haaland for £51m from Borussia Dortmund.

Erling Haaland’s arrival in England makes him one of the most expensive Man City signings, alongside Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ruben Díaz.

Man City most expensive signings – top 10 highest transfer fees paid

10. Benjamin Mendy (from Monaco, 2017) £52m

Benjamin Mendy at AS Monaco

Benjamin Mendy was among Monaco’s ‘New Generation’ of players, including Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappé, Thomas Lemar and Fabinho.

Mendy was an outstanding defender in a Monaco shirt, helping the club to the Ligue 1 title in the 2016–17 campaign. He started on a fine note and showing signs of a promising career at the Etihad Stadium.

9. Erling Haaland (from Borussia Dortmund, 2022) £51m

Erling Haaland is one of the best football players in the world right now. The 21-year old Norwegian holds a personal Bundesliga record, scoring 61 goals in 66 Bundesliga games for Borussia Dortmund.

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What seems to be powering Haaland’s success is his consistency and accuracy in front of goals. The young goal machine has a goal ratio of 1.5 per game whilst not sitting on the sidelines.

Apart from Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland was the most consistent goal scorer in the Bundesliga. And the 21-year old became the UEFA Champions League top goalscorer for the 2020–21 season.

Pep Guardiola is presumably happy with the decision to sign Erling Haaland in a bid to find a permanent Sergio Agüero replacement.

8. Rodri (from Atletico Madrid, 2019) £56m

Rodri was a surprise signing by Manchester City. To date, the question of how the impressive Spanish Midfielder was allowed to leave Atlético Madrid hangs on.

Rodri plays as a defensive but more effective offensive midfielder in the Manchester City first team and has been a regular in Pep Guardiola’s team since he arrived from Spain in 2019.

In the 2021/22 season, Rodri has been more of a goal-scoring midfielder for Man City, scoring six goals in the league and twice in the Champions League.

7. Raheem Sterling (from Liverpool, 2015) £57m

Raheem Sterling’s creativity at Liverpool never went unnoticed. The Englishman dazzles and scores for the Reds consistently.

Guardiola knew Sterling could fit nicely on the flanks and decided to go all out for his signature. The Englishman effectively uses his creativity to score and assist.

In the 2021/22 season, Raheem Sterling provided thirteen goals and four assists in the league.

6. Aymeric Laporte (from Athletic Bilbao, 2018) £58m

Aymeric Laporte is a powerful defender with an excellent passing ability that has been vital for Man City. A product of Bayonne, Laporte became successful in the Athletic Club youth team and was eventually allowed to play for the first team.

Six years in with Athletic Club, Aymeric Laporte moved on to Man City following the agreement between the Cityzens and the Spanish club.

5. Joao Cancelo (from Juventus, 2019) £58.5m

João Cancelo isn’t just a defender; he is more of a utility player who can play up front with some dribble abilities with an eye for goal.

Man City manager Pep Guardiola saw the best of João Cancelo and made him a priority signing. Today, the Portuguese player is arguably one of the best Premier League defenders.

In the 2020/21 season, João Cancelo made the PFA Premier League Team of the Year final shortlist.

4. Riyad Mahrez (from Leicester, 2018) £61m

Riyad Mahrez was a sensation when he helped Leicester City to the greatest shock in sporting history by winning the 2015/16 Premier League title. The Algerian scored seventeen goals and assisted ten to help the Foxes wrap up a record-breaking campaign.

Mahrez has been a prolific goal scorer in the Premier League and has been vital for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s success since 2018.

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In the 2021/22 season, as City go toe to toe with Liverpool in the title challenge, Mahrez has scored eleven goals and provided five assists.

3. Ruben Dias (from Benfica, 2020) £61m

Ruben Días is one of the top immediate impacts in the Premier League. The Portuguese defender was voted Premier League Player of the Season in his first year.

Ruben Días was bought from SL Benfica following his exploits in the Portuguese domestic scene. His consistency caught the attention of Guardiola, who needed to fill up the gaps created by the departure of Vincent Kompany.

So far, Ruben Días is one of the best players in the English Premier League and forms a substantial part of Man City’s first team this season.

2. Kevin De Bruyne (from Wolfsburg, 2015) £68m

Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best signings ever made by Pep Guardiola in his managerial career. The Belgium midfielder is the leading player spearheading the Spanish manager’s unique approach and style of play at Manchester City.

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Pep Guardiola loves Kevin De Bruyne because he’s one reason Man City has been succeeding in the Premier League. At least Guardiola has won the league title three times in the last  four seasons.

Man City successfully signed Kevin De Bruyne from Bundesliga side Vfl Wolfsburg.

1. Jack Grealish (from Aston Villa, 2021) £100m

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yqn0bQvRQOs

Jack Grealish was one of the essential Aston Villa players between 2018-2020. The Englishman played in the Championship and successfully secured a return to the top flight in 2019, leading the team as captain.

Following an impressive first season in the top flight after the triumphant return, Grealish had yet another spectacular performance that led to Man City’s interest in him.

In Jack Grealish’s first season at Many City, he began on a slow start, but Pep Guardiola expects more improvement whilst keeping patience with him. City’s decision to splash £100m makes Jack Grealish the most expensive British footballer in history.