Pep Guardiola’s ironic response to Manchester City’s transfer window
The English side signed only two players during this transfer window: Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi.
Pep Guardiola has once again ignited the debate over financial power in the Premier League. With his trademark blend of irony and tactical deflection, the Manchester City manager addressed the club's heavy involvement in the recent January transfer window. Despite City being the biggest spenders of the winter, Guardiola was quick to downplay the investment, pointing to long-term "net spend" statistics that paint a very different picture of English football's hierarchy.
The January Reinforcements: Semenyo and Guéhi
Manchester City did not hold back this winter, shell out a staggering €485 million across the last three transfer windows. The most significant move of the current period was the high-profile arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. The deal, valued at approximately €74 million, was seen as a necessary boost to an aging frontline.
However, the most strategic signing was undoubtedly Marc Guéhi. Plucked from Crystal Palace for €23 million, Guéhi’s arrival was a desperate emergency measure. With Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, and John Stones all sidelined with injuries, City’s defensive foundations were crumbling.
The window also saw the return of Sverre Nypan from his loan at Middlesbrough, while Kalvin Phillips was sent out once again, this time to Sheffield United. To balance the books, City sanctioned the €31 million sale of Oscar Bobb to Fulham, keeping their net spend for the window at a relatively "modest" €57 million.
The "7th Place" Irony
When questioned about the role of new Sporting Director Hugo Viana in this flurry of activity, Guardiola didn't hold back his sarcasm. "I’m a bit sad and upset," Guardiola quipped with a grin. "Our net spend over the last five years is only seventh in the Premier League. I want to be number one! I don’t understand why the club doesn’t spend more."
Guardiola’s message was clear: while rivals criticize City’s wealth, the data shows other clubs are burning through cash at a much higher rate relative to their sales.
The 5-Year Net Spend Reality Check
To back up his irony, Guardiola pointed to the objective numbers of the last five years. The rankings for the highest net spend (losses) in the Premier League tell a story of massive investment with varied returns:
Club5-Year Net Spend (Approx.)Manchester United€795 MillionArsenal€785 MillionChelsea€768 MillionTottenham€672 MillionManchester City€461 Million
"Since they have invested more over the last five years, they should be the ones winning the Premier League, the Champions League, and the FA Cup," Guardiola added, turning the pressure back onto Mikel Arteta, Enzo Maresca, and Ruben Amorim. "I am waiting for them."
The Tactical Deflection
By focusing on "net spend," Guardiola effectively protects his squad from the "oil money" narrative. For the Catalan mastermind, the debate isn't just about how much you spend, but how well you sell. As City continues to chase another historic treble in 2026, Guardiola’s verbal jabs remind the world that in the Premier League, everyone is spending—but only one team is consistently winning.
