Premier League’s highest salary list shows City outspending rivals

January 10, 2026 Oliver Obel

Manchester City’s sustained grip on the Premier League has been driven by tactical innovation and elite coaching, but salary data shows another constant behind their success: a wage bill few clubs can rival. As of early 2026, City remain among England’s heaviest spenders, using pay as a strategic tool rather than a blunt instrument.

Figures from salary-tracking site Capology suggest City’s approach is built on concentration at the top and depth throughout the squad. Star players are rewarded at levels that discourage interest from rivals, while even backup options command salaries that reflect the club’s expectations of constant competition.

Since Pep Guardiola’s arrival in 2016, City have increasingly leaned on long contracts and escalating wages to preserve continuity. The model has allowed seamless rotation across competitions, but it has also pushed the cost of dominance ever higher.

Heavy investment between the posts

City’s commitment to spending is evident even in goal. Gianluigi Donnarumma earns in the region of £250,000 per week following his move from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Capology — a figure that places him among the Premier League’s best-paid goalkeepers.

Behind him, James Trafford is paid about £50,000 a week after returning from Burnley, while Stefan Ortega earns close to £90,000 as an experienced alternative. Marcus Bettinelli, the club’s fourth-choice goalkeeper, takes home roughly £35,000 despite limited prospects of regular minutes.

Defensive wages reflect hierarchy, not rotation

In defence, pay closely follows status. John Stones and Ruben Dias sit at the top of the scale on approximately £250,000 per week, underscoring their role as Guardiola’s primary defensive leaders. Josko Gvardiol follows on around £200,000, a reflection of his importance across multiple positions.

Nathan Ake earns in excess of £150,000 weekly, while Rayan Ait Nouri sits closer to £120,000. At the other end of the spectrum, academy graduates Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis remain on comparatively modest deals, despite taking on increased responsibility — a gap that is unlikely to persist if their roles continue to grow.

Control comes at a premium in midfield

Bernardo Silva is City’s highest-paid midfielder, with wages approaching £300,000 per week. Rodri, widely viewed as the squad’s most irreplaceable figure, earns around £220,000 following his Ballon d’Or-winning season, per Capology.

Read also: Chelsea coach faces court ruling

Tijjani Reijnders is close behind on roughly £230,000, while Mateo Kovacic and Kalvin Phillips both earn near £150,000. Matheus Nunes sits slightly below that level, even as his tactical versatility has seen him deployed in multiple roles.

Haaland resets the market

No contract better illustrates City’s spending power than Erling Haaland’s. His long-term deal places him well clear of every other Premier League player, with weekly earnings of about £525,000, according to Capology. The agreement reflects not just his goalscoring output but City’s determination to secure their most valuable asset for the long term.

Omar Marmoush earns close to £295,000 per week following his January arrival, while Phil Foden’s salary is estimated at around £225,000. Further down the scale, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo earn less, with the Guardian reporting Semenyo’s wages at approximately £150,000.

A sustainable edge for now

City’s wage structure highlights a widening gap within the Premier League. While several rivals can match individual salaries, few can combine elite pay with depth across every position. For Guardiola, that financial backing has delivered flexibility and continuity. For the rest of the league, it raises a familiar question: how long such spending can remain both competitive and compliant.

Sources: Capology, Guardian