Throughout his managerial career, Pep Guardiola has never hesitated to spend big on top-tier talent. Whether at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or Manchester City, he has built dominant teams by securing some of the best players in the world. Here’s a look at his most expensive signings ever, ranked from lowest to highest.
12. Erling Haaland – £52,000,000
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In the summer of 2022, Manchester City secured Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for a bargain fee of £52,000,000. The Norwegian striker had a release clause in his contract, allowing City to sign one of Europe’s most prolific forwards at a reduced price. Haaland’s arrival proved to be an instant success, as he broke numerous scoring records in his first season.
11. Matheus Nunes – £53,000,000
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Manchester City signed Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2023 for £53,000,000. Nunes had impressed in the Premier League with his technical ability and versatility in midfield. Guardiola saw him as a valuable addition to City’s squad, offering depth and creativity in the center of the pitch.
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku joined Manchester City from Stade Rennais in the summer of 2023 for £55,500,000. Known for his blistering pace and dribbling skills, Doku was signed as a long-term replacement for Riyad Mahrez. His arrival added another dynamic attacking option to Guardiola’s already potent squad.
One of the few signings on this list made outside of Manchester City, Zlatan Ibrahimović joined Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2009 from Inter Milan for £56,500,000. The Swedish striker was brought in to add firepower to an already dominant Barça side. However, his relationship with Guardiola soured, and he left after just one season.
8. Aymeric Laporte – £57,200,000
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In January 2018, Guardiola reinforced his defense by signing Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Club for £57,200,000. The French center-back quickly became a key figure in City’s backline, known for his composure, passing range, and defensive solidity. Laporte played a crucial role in multiple Premier League-winning campaigns under Guardiola.
7. Omar Marmoush – £59,000,000
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Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush made a surprise move to Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59,000,000. His versatility in attack and impressive performances in the Bundesliga convinced Guardiola to bring him to the Etihad. The transfer was seen as part of City’s long-term plan to refresh their attacking options.
6. João Cancelo – £60,000,000
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In the summer of 2019, João Cancelo arrived at Manchester City from Juventus for £60,000,000. Initially struggling for game time, the Portuguese full-back eventually became a crucial part of Guardiola’s system, offering attacking contributions from both flanks. His ability to play as an inverted full-back made him a tactical asset.
Manchester City signed Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City in 2018 for £60,000,000, making him the club’s record signing at the time. The Algerian winger brought creativity, flair, and a winning mentality to Guardiola’s squad. He played a key role in multiple title-winning campaigns, scoring vital goals in domestic and European competitions.
4. Rodri – £62,500,000
Spanish midfielder Rodri joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2019 for £62,500,000. He was seen as the long-term successor to Fernandinho in defensive midfield. Over time, Rodri became a crucial part of Guardiola’s tactical setup, controlling the tempo of games and providing defensive stability in midfield.
3. Rúben Dias – £65,000,000
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To fix City’s defensive struggles, Guardiola signed Portuguese center-back Rúben Dias from SL Benfica in 2020 for £65,000,000. Dias made an instant impact, transforming City’s defense and winning the Premier League Player of the Season award in his debut campaign. His leadership and defensive prowess solidified City’s backline.
2. Joško Gvardiol – £77,600,000
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In 2023, Manchester City splashed £77,600,000 on Croatian defender Joško Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. Highly rated for his ball-playing ability and physical presence, Gvardiol was seen as one of the best young defenders in the world. His versatility allowed Guardiola to experiment with different tactical setups.
The most expensive signing in Guardiola’s managerial career, Jack Grealish moved from Aston Villa to Manchester City for £100,000,000 in 2021. Despite flashes of brilliance, Grealish has struggled to fully establish himself as a guaranteed starter in Guardiola’s system. His adaptation to City’s style has been slower than expected, and injuries, along with competition for places, have limited his impact.
