Pep Guardiola has spent more money in 21 months at Manchester City than Arsene Wenger has in 21 years at Arsenal.
While Pep is undoubtedly a good football manager and brilliant tactician, the Spaniard isn’t exactly known for his thrifty spending. But even his eyes must have watered when he saw his recent net spend figures.
At Barcelona, the Daily Mail reported last year that the coach spent £307m in order to win his three La Liga titles and Champions League.
At Bayern Munich, he apparently ‘only’ forked out £183.5 but failed to clinch the massive European trophy the Bundesliga giants wanted.
Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that the 47-year-old has already spent more at Manchester City since joining them almost two years ago than Wenger has in his entire 21 years in north London.
According to Sporting Intel, Pep has spent £478m during his time in the Premier League and has a net spend of £371m. City’s squad fees are £777m – the largest in history.
Wenger’s net spend at Arsenal in 21 years: £349m.
Guardiola’s net spend at Man City in 21 months: £371m.Squad value (fees paid for first-team players):#afc £357m#mcfc £777m (biggest in football history)
Spending since Guardiola joined:#afc £203m#mcfc £478m
[@sportingintel] pic.twitter.com/Vv9FrPerYE— afcstuff (@afcstuff) February 24, 2018
Wenger has spent £203m since Pep joined City. Arsenal’s squad fees are £357m and Wenger’s net spend over the last 21 years is £349m. £22m less than Pep’s already.
Although the transfer market has changed a lot in recent years, which is demonstrated by the bulk of Arsenal’s spending occurring in the last couple of seasons, there’s no denying what a colossal price City are paying for their star-studded squad.