Top 10 biggest spenders in last decade after Manchester City reached UCL finals

Manchester City made light work of Real Madrid to reach their second UEFA Champions League final last night, beating the European powerhouse 5-1 on aggregate.

Pep Guardiola has dominated English football since he arrived in 2016, but has fallen short in Europe. However, he is the odds-on favourite to win this year's competition for the first time in City’s history.

Fans have pinned the success of the Citizens on their financial strength.

Sports Brief looks at the top 10 spenders in football in the last decade - and it's not City that tops the list.

1. Chelsea

Chelsea recently changed owners from Roman Abramovich to Todd Boehly after the UK government sanctioned the Russian oligarch.

The Blues have spent £1.82 billion in the last 10 years, with their highest amount spent in a window exceeding £300m, last January. According to The Guardian, their record signing at that time was Enzo Fernandez for £106.8m.

Trophies won - 9

2. Manchester City

The Cityzens have spent a whopping £1.5bn on transfers in the last decade, with Pep Guardiola spending the bulk of it. Their record signing in that time is Jack Grealish, signed for £100m from Aston Villa, according to GiveMeSport.

Trophies won - 15

3. Manchester United

Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson departed the club at the end of the 2012/13 season, and since then, the Old Trafford club has spent £1.45bn. Sky Sports reports that Paul Pogba was their record signing for £89m in 2016.

Trophies won - 7

4. Juventus

The most successful club in Italy is unsurprisingly the biggest spender over the last 10 years, having spent £1.44bn in that time. According to Goal, Cristiano Ronaldo is their most expensive signing during that time, worth £110m from Real Madrid in 2018.

Trophies won - 17

5. Barcelona

The La Liga giants have simmered down in the recent windows due to financial issues, but have spent £1.42bn in the past decade. Philippe Coutinho was their most expensive signing, signed for £142m from Liverpool in 2018.

Trophies won - 18

6. Paris Saint-Germain

Transfer spending - £1.29bn

Most expensive signing - Neymar, £198m

Trophies won - 29

7. Arsenal

Transfer spending - £1.04bn

Most expensive signing - Nicolas Pepe, £72m

Trophies won - 8

8. Liverpool

Transfer spending - £1.01bn

Most expensive signing - Darwin Nunez, £85m

Trophies won - 6

9. Real Madrid

Transfer spending - £999m

Most expensive signing - Eden Hazard, £88m

Trophies won - 22

10. Tottenham

Transfer spending - £960m

Most expensive signing - Tanguy Ndombele, £54m

Trophies won - 0