Manchester City could spend £300m on central midfielders this summer, a figure that has sparked criticism from rivals, but the club's ability to generate income from player sales is a key factor behind their spending power.
Record revenues and player sales
City earned £694.1m in the financial year ending June 30, 2025, with a marginal loss of £9.9m, and more than £700m in the two years prior. Broadcasting and commercial revenue make up the bulk of these figures, but player sales also contribute significantly.
The last accounting period showed City made £95.2m from player sales, the third-highest in the club's history, a figure they look set to eclipse this summer. This innate ability to profit from departing players provides a handy fillip when entering the transfer market.
Comparison with rivals
City have already banked more than £80m this summer, with Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders close to leaving. In contrast, Liverpool's sales this summer have yet to reach £1m, while Arsenal have sold three first-team players for less than City got for James Trafford.
Arsenal's record sale remains the £35m that took Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2019, while City have sold seven players for higher fees since then. Manchester United have also struggled to sell well, with three of their five biggest sales below the purchase price.
Net spend and rebuild
Chelsea rival City in player sales, earning up to £50m for Andrey Santos and around £44m from other departures this summer. However, Chelsea's net spend of £850m over five seasons is the highest, while City's £441m places them sixth.
City are undergoing a significant rebuild that started 18 months ago and is now in its fourth transfer window. Their forte in maximising transfer income is unmatched by other clubs, enabling them to spend big when needed.
