Seven of the top 20 most expensive defenders of all time are Man City signings

Premier League champions Manchester City feature heavily in a top 20 list of the most expensive defenders of all time.

Pep Guardiola's side completed the signing of highly-rated Croatia international Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on Saturday in a deal worth a reported £77.6 million.

The 21-year-old defender, who was linked with a host of top European clubs this summer, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid, has penned a five-year at the Etihad.

“I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me," he told the club's website.

“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the Treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has.

“To be joining City is something very special for me and my family."

As a result of his big-money move to City, the versatile centre-back has become the most expensive defender in football history, according to TransferMarkt, who claim the deal is worth €90 million.

Gvardiol, of course, goes ahead of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after a move was confirmed.

Maguire broke records back in 2019, when he overtook Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk in the most expensive list after joining the ranks at Old Trafford for €87 million.

So who else features in the top 20? Matthijs de Ligt joined Juventus from Ajax in 2019 for €85.5 million, which gives him the bronze medal, while Van DIjk and Wesley Fofana [€80.4m] make up the top five.

In total, seven Manchester City players are involved in the TransferMarkt rankings. Here is the list in full:

Image credit: TransferMarkt

One thing is for sure; Manchester City are delighted to get a deal for Gvardiol over the line after months of speculation.

"We are very happy to bring Josko to Manchester City," said City's director of football Txiki Begiristain.

“He is a player we have watched closely, and we feel he has a superb set of attributes.

“Top clubs all over Europe have been monitoring him, so to bring him here is great news for us.

“Josko has so many qualities – everything you want in a centre-half. He is fast, competitive, combative, strong in the air, impressive in possession of the ball, with strong self-belief and a good character. He is left-footed, too, which offers us good options at the back.

“He is still young but his progress in the game has been rapid. We feel confident his upward trajectory will continue here at City working with Pep and his staff.”