Manchester City’s €1.44bn spending fuels investigation into Citizens’ signings
Inside the Etihad Stadium, the echo of past celebrations masks a darker narrative: an independent commission has branded Manchester City guilty of serious financial breaches during the nine‑season period when the Citizens assembled a generation of stars.
Scope of the breach
The commission found the club used fictitious commercial contracts between 2009‑10 and 2017‑18 to inflate revenue and cut costs. Those practices allowed cost reductions of more than £900 million, roughly €1.05 billion, breaching Premier League and UEFA financial rules.
Transfer spending revealed
During the same window the English side spent approximately €1.44 billion on signings, bringing in figures such as Sergio Agüero, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne. In 2009‑10 the club paid €147.3 million, notably for Carlos Tévez and Emmanuel Adebayor at €29 million each and Joleon Lescott for €27.5 million.
The following season the outlay rose to €183.61 million, adding Edin Džeko (€37 million), Yaya Touré (€30 million), Mario Balotelli (€29.5 million) and David Silva (€28.75 million). 2011‑12 saw the headline fee of €40 million for Sergio Agüero and €27.5 million for Samir Nasri.
Spending steadied at €61.95 million in 2012‑13, highlighted by Javi García’s €20 million move. The 2013‑14 window reached €115.5 million, featuring Fernandinho (€40 million), Stevan Jović (€26 million) and Álvaro Negredo (€25 million).
Premier League finds Manchester City guilty of infractions
In 2014‑15 the club disbursed €102.8 million, with Eliaquim Mangala costing €45 million and Wilfried Bony €32.3 million. The 2015‑16 season peaked at €208.47 million, driven by Kevin De Bruyne (€76 million), Raheem Sterling (€64 million) and Nicolás Otamendi (€44.5 million).
The 2016‑17 campaign recorded €216.25 million, bringing John Stones (€56 million), Leroy Sané (€52 million), Gabriel Jesús (€32 million) and İlkay Gündoğan (€27 million). The final season, 2017‑18, topped the period with €317.5 million, adding Aymeric Laporte (€65 million), Benjamin Mendy (€58 million), Kyle Walker (€52.7 million), Bernardo Silva (€50 million) and Ederson (€40 million).
Club’s response and next steps
Manchester City rejected the findings, declaring “Somos inocentes” as it prepares to appeal the decision. The sanction phase remains pending, leaving the sporting and financial repercussions uncertain.
Premier League reveals Manchester City hid billions in costs
The article was later added as a preferred source on Google, ensuring wider visibility of the investigation’s details.