Manchester City's spending has come under intense scrutiny following an independent commission's ruling that the club breached Premier League financial regulations. The Citizens inflated revenues through bogus contracts and concealed their true financial position. The club has lodged an appeal, yet their evolving transfer record remains impressive even against this scandalous backdrop.
Since Sheikh Mansour took over in September 2008, Manchester City have broken their transfer record ten times. It all began with the acquisition of Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5 million. In 2011, Sergio Aguero raised the bar, costing the club £38 million.
Subsequent signings saw the spending only escalate. In 2015, Raheem Sterling transitioned from Liverpool for £44 million, shortly followed by Kevin De Bruyne’s purchase for £54 million. Others like Aymeric Laporte (£57 million), Riyad Mahrez (£60 million), and Rodri (£62.8 million) continued to push the financial envelope.
In 2021, Manchester City shocked the football world by shelling out £100 million to Aston Villa for Jack Grealish. However, in the summer of 2026, the club smashed that astounding record not once, but twice. First, they secured Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson for £116 million.
Just six weeks later, they broke the British transfer record again with the acquisition of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a staggering £125 million. Over 18 years, Manchester City's record transfer figure has increased nearly fourfold.
