How much do the all-conquering Premier League powerhouse earn annually and who receives the most into their account?
When you talk about the Premier League, one of the first clubs that come to mind are Manchester City. The Sky Blues have become the most successful team in England in the past 15 years, boosted by the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008 and then by the mastery of Pep Guardiola, who has led City to six Premier League titles in his eight full seasons at the club since arriving in 2016.
Manchester City transformed into a financial powerhouse following its acquisition by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008 as the ownership, led by Sheikh Mansour, injected vast wealth into the club, funding top-tier player acquisitions, world-class infrastructure, and expansive global commercial ventures.
This financial backing allowed City to secure star players like Sergio Aguero, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias, and Raheem Sterling over the years, significantly enhancing the team’s performance.
The four-time reigning Premier League champions are currently the team with the most expensive wage bill in the league.
But who is the highest earner at Manchester City this season? And who is on the opposite end of the spectrum?
GOAL delved into the numbers from Capology and found out!
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GettyGoalkeepers
Ederson, who was signed by Manchester City for one of the highest transfer fees ever paid for a goalkeeper, is the highest-paid among the club's first-team shot-stoppers. However, despite his prominent role, his salary is not among the top earners at the club, with players in other positions commanding significantly higher wages.
Veteran German goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is the second-highest paid goalkeeper at the club, while 39-year-old Scott Carson, a former England international, is even further behind on the wage bill.
Ederson£5,200,000Stefan Ortega£4,680,000Scott Carson£1,560,000AdvertisementGetty Images SportDefenders
No surprises here as John Stones, one of the first signings of the Guardiola era, is the highest-earning defender in the squad, and one of the only two defenders along with Josko Gvardiol to earn in double digit millions annually.
Shockingly, though, Ruben Dias is the joint third-highest earner as far as defenders go in the squad along with Manuel Akanji. Given the Portuguese centre-back's stature as a leader and their best defender, it's safe to say that City fans won't be too pleased to find out that he isn't on the top of the defenders' wage bill.
Captain Kyle Walker ranks next in salary, though there is little distinction between his earnings and those of Dias and Akanji. Following Walker is Dutch defender Nathan Ake, with the list rounded out by academy graduates Rico Lewis and Josh Wilson-Esbrand.
John Stones£13,000,000Josko Gvardiol£10,400,000Ruben Dias£9,360,000Manuel Akanji£9,360,000Kyle Walker£9,100,000Nathan Ake£8,320,000Rico Lewis£1,300,000Josh Wilson-Esbrand£364,000Getty Images SportMidfielders
No surprises in midfield either. Club legend Kevin De Bruyne is on the final year of his contract and if he doesn't extend, he'll go out as one of the highest-earning players in the squad.
Bernardo Silva is the next best earning midfielder in the squad, and deservingly so. The Portuguese signed a new deal last year amid exit rumours, and is tied to the club until 2026.
Ilkay Gundogan returned to Manchester City after a one-year stint at Barcelona last summer, and it may come as a surprise that he earns more than key players like Phil Foden and Rodri — who was named the 2023-24 Premier League Player of the Season and the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, respectively.
Kevin De Bruyne£20,800,000Bernardo Silva£15,600,000Ilkay Gundogan£11,960,000Phil Foden£11,700,000Rodri£11,440,000Mateo Kovacic£7,800,000Matheus Nunes£6,760,000James McAtee£780,000Getty ImagesAttackers
Erling Haaland is the absolute top earner up front after signing a new nine-year deal.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, the most expensive City signing of all-time, is the second-highest earning forward and one of the squad's best-paid players, with new arrival Omar Marmoush in third place.
The young trio of Jeremy Doku, Oscar Bobb, and Savinho are not earning half as much as the aforementioned duo, but are still fairly compensated given that none of them have nailed down a spot in the XI just yet.
Erling Haaland£27,300,000Jack Grealish£15,600,000Omar Marmoush£15,340,000Jeremy Doku£2,600,000Oscar Bobb£2,600,000Savinho£2,080,000
