Man City's worst signings since becoming filthy rich – £42m flop to play behind bars

Manchester City's journey to English and European domination has been fraught with challenges. They've had their share of mishaps in the transfer market, from the scary sale of Cole Palmer to the shock departure of Julian Alvarez.

These decisions, particularly during their difficult spell of nine defeats in 13 matches in all competitions, have surely caused consternation among City's loyal supporters. There is no denying that many brilliant signings have propelled the club over the last decade or more.

But for every Erling Haaland or Sergio Aguero, there have also been plenty of failed signings who failed to get going at the Etihad Stadium. Let's take a look at some of their transfer nightmares.

Glauber Berti

Glauber Berti was signed as a free agent by FC Nuremberg in 2008, and his tenure at Manchester City was so uneventful that it achieved cult club status. He was known among his followers as the “invisible man”.

His claim to fame was an insignificant appearance in the final match of the 2008/09 season, where he became the center of fans' attention during a brief five-minute match. He will leave in 2009.

Valéri Bojinov

In 2007, Manchester City spent £5.75 million on Valeri Bojinov, hoping the Bulgarian striker would make a significant impact. However, his time at the club was marred from the start by injuries. A serious cruciate ligament injury in his first season kept him out of action for almost a year, and upon his return he faced another setback.

Bojinov only managed to play three league matches in two years and scored no goals. By the time he transferred to Parma in 2009, City were already beyond capacity, making his transfer a matter of unfortunate timing and luck.

Wilfried Bony

When City splashed out £28m for Wilfried Bony in 2015, they thought they were acquiring one of the Premier League's deadliest strikers. Bony had been outstanding at Swansea, but his form collapsed as soon as he set foot at the Etihad.

He managed to score just 11 goals in 46 appearances, looking slow and out of sync with City's dynamic attack. Injuries certainly didn't help, but even when fit, Bony struggled to adapt to City's style. By the time he was sold in 2017, he had become synonymous with mid-season transfer blunders.

Robinho

Robinho's arrival from Real Madrid in 2008 for a British record fee of £32.5 million was meant to be a statement of ambition from City's new owners. The Brazilian started well, finishing his first season as City's top scorer, but his enthusiasm quickly faded.

Robinho, despite his initial promise, has struggled with the physicality of the Premier League and faced questions over his commitment. His off-field antics have overshadowed his on-field performances. After being loaned to Santos in 2010 and then sold to AC Milan at a reduced price, the now 40-year-old has become a leading example of prioritizing big-name signings. He is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for rape.

Jo

Jo, who was signed from CSKA Moscow for £19 million in 2008, was a confusing acquisition from the start. Despite a respectable record in Russia, the Brazilian striker seemed completely out of place in England.

Jo scored just six goals in 41 appearances for City and was frequently loaned out. His poor performances made his signing one of the most egregious examples of City's early transfer errors of the Sheikh Mansour era.

Eliaquim Mangala

Eliaquim Mangala was another costly misstep for City. They paid £42 million to bring him from Porto in 2014, hoping he would be a defensive mainstay for years to come.

However, the Frenchman proved to be more of a liability than an asset. Despite some solid performances, Mangala's inability to handle pressure was a significant flaw. After loan spells at Valencia and Everton, he was let go on a free transfer in 2019. The gamble on Mangala remains one of the costliest defensive mistakes in Premier League history.

Scott Sinclair

Scott Sinclair's £6.2 million move from Swansea City in 2012 was supposed to be his big chance, but it turned into a disaster. Although he was brought in to bolster City's attack, he found himself warming the bench behind stars like David Silva and Samir Nasri.

In three years, he made just 13 league appearances, scored no goals and left no significant impact. His loan spells at West Brom and Aston Villa only highlighted his lack of influence. By the time he was sold, Sinclair's move to City was nothing more than a costly mistake.

Jack Rodwell

The acquisition of Jack Rodwell from Everton for £12 million in 2012 marked a shift in City's transfer strategy. The club began to focus on young English talent to meet local quotas, but this move did not go as planned.

Injuries and a lack of confidence plagued Rodwell's tenure at City. He made just 16 league appearances in two seasons and struggled to find a place in a team full of established stars. Rodwell would be sold to Sunderland in 2014. His career at City serves as a warning of how promising young players can stumble under the burden of expectations.

Felipe Caicedo

Felipe Caicedo, signed from Basel for £5.2 million in 2008, was believed to be a promising young striker. Unfortunately, his time at City was not impressive. He scored a paltry four goals in 27 league appearances and never looked comfortable in the Premier League.

After a series of loan spells, he was unable to secure a permanent place in the City team. By the time he transferred to Levante in 2011, the Ecuadorian had all but disappeared from the limelight.