Pep Guardiola has joked that he feels “a little bit sad and upset” that Manchester City rank only seventh in the Premier League for net transfer spend over the last five years, despite their reputation as big spenders.
Manchester City have once again been the league’s top spenders in January, signing Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi for around £84 million. That follows a £180 million outlay during last January’s window.
However, strong player sales have helped City recoup around £550 million over the same five-year period, according to figures from Transfermarkt.
When asked how much credit sporting director Hugo Viana deserves for the club’s transfer strategy, Guardiola praised both past and present leadership.
“Really good. Txiki [Bergiristain] before and Hugo now,” he said.
“I am a little bit sad and upset because in the last five years we have been seventh in the Premier League. I want to be the first, I don’t understand why the club don’t spend more money. I am a little bit grumpy with them.
“But like we won in the past because we spent a lot, now six teams have to win the Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues and FA Cups because they spent more in the last five years. These are facts. It’s not an opinion.
“You can say an opinion, like you say you play well or badly against Spurs – we can agree or disagree. But they are facts. Good luck to the six teams that are in front of us for net spend for the last five years.
“Let’s go. I’m waiting. That’s a nice quote, eh?”
Despite missing out on a major trophy last season, City have dominated English football in recent years, winning six of the past nine Premier League titles under Guardiola.
The club has only broken the £100 million transfer barrier once, when it signed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2022. City’s recruitment model has also focused on smart sales, including more than £250 million generated from academy graduates since 2020.
Recent high-profile departures include Julian Alvarez, who joined Atletico Madrid in 2024 for a club record £81.5 million, and Raheem Sterling, who moved to Chelsea for £50 million.
Top Premier League net spend over the last five years:
Manchester United (£675m)
Arsenal (£663m)
Chelsea (£651m)
Tottenham (£574m)
Newcastle (£424m)
Liverpool (£420m)
