Sports News of Friday, 2 October 2026
Source: www.punchng.com
Manchester City have broken their transfer record twice in 2026, with Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson topping the club’s list of most expensive signings.
The Premier League champions paid Chelsea €145m for Argentina international Fernandez on deadline day, making him Manchester City’s most expensive signing. The fee also equalled the Premier League transfer record.
A few weeks earlier, City had paid €135m to sign England midfielder Anderson from Nottingham Forest, setting a new club record at the time.
The two deals came as City underwent a major midfield rebuild in the summer following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona.
Grealish and de Bruyne
Below is the full list of Manchester City’s 10 most expensive signings, PUNCH Online curates on Friday based on the transfer fees reported by FootballTransfers.
Notably, Erling Haaland is absent from the list, with his transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City reportedly costing €60m in 2022, PUNCH Online reported.
1. Enzo Fernandez — €145m
From: Chelsea
Year: 2026
Fernandez became Manchester City’s record signing after completing his move from Chelsea in September 2026.
The Argentina international had joined Chelsea from Benfica for €121m in January 2023 before moving to City for €145m.
The deal equalled the Premier League transfer record and made Fernandez the first player to complete two transfers worth more than €100m.
2. Elliot Anderson — €135m
From: Nottingham Forest
Year: 2026
Anderson joined City from Nottingham Forest for €135m in July 2026, briefly becoming the club’s record signing before Fernandez’s arrival.
The midfielder had established himself as an England international and impressed during the 2026 World Cup before completing his move to the Etihad.
3. Jack Grealish — €117.5m
From: Aston Villa
Year: 2021
Grealish became the most expensive English player when he joined City from Aston Villa for €117.5m in 2021.
He played an important role in City’s treble-winning 2022-23 campaign before later leaving on loan.
4. Ayyoub Bouaddi — €95m
From: Lille
Year: 2026
City signed Moroccan midfielder Bouaddi from Lille for €95m in the summer of 2026 as part of their midfield overhaul.
The teenager had attracted attention with his performances before making the move to Manchester.
5. Josko Gvardiol — €90m
From: RB Leipzig
Year: 2023
Gvardiol joined City from RB Leipzig for €90m in 2023.
The Croatia international became one of City’s most expensive defenders and helped the club compete for major honours after his arrival.
6. Kevin De Bruyne — €76m
From: Wolfsburg
Year: 2015
De Bruyne arrived from Wolfsburg in 2015 for €76m, a year before Pep Guardiola took charge.
The Belgium international went on to become one of the most decorated and influential players in City’s history, making more than 350 appearances for the club.
He left Manchester City for Napoli on a free transfer in 2025.
7. Omar Marmoush — €75m
From: Eintracht Frankfurt
Year: 2025
Marmoush joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt for €75m in January 2025.
The Egypt international had scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists in 27 Bundesliga appearances before his move to England.
8. Antoine Semenyo — €72m
From: Bournemouth
Year: 2026
Semenyo became one of City’s major attacking additions in 2026 after joining from Bournemouth for €72m.
The Ghana international had enjoyed an impressive spell with Bournemouth before attracting interest from several clubs.
9. Ruben Dias — €71.6m
From: Benfica
Year: 2020
Dias moved to Manchester City from Benfica for €71.6m in 2020.
The Portugal international quickly established himself as a key member of City’s defence and won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in his first season in England.
10. Rodri — €70m
From: Atletico Madrid
Year: 2019
Rodri joined City from Atletico Madrid for €70m in 2019.
The Spain midfielder became one of the central figures of City’s most successful period, scoring the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final and winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
Rodri left City for Barcelona in 2026.
Man City’s 10 most expensive signings – Rank Player From Fee Year
1. Enzo Fernandez Chelsea €145m 2026
2. Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest €135m 2026
3. Jack Grealish Aston Villa €117.5m 2021
4. Ayyoub Bouaddi Lille €95m 2026
5. Josko Gvardiol RB Leipzig €90m 2023
6. Kevin De Bruyne Wolfsburg €76m 2015
7. Omar Marmoush Eintracht Frankfurt €75m 2025
8. Antoine Semenyo Bournemouth €72m 2026
9. Ruben Dias Benfica €71.6m 2020
10. Rodri Atletico Madrid €70m 2019
The figures are based on the reported fees in the FootballTransfers ranking and can vary between sources depending on add-ons and how transfer payments are calculated.